I would like to start today, by asking for your prayers for my sweet boy, Nathan. He's in the midst of the stomach flu. He was utterly embarrassed yesterday at school when he threw up in the middle of math class. Although, his friends really appreciated the break from class. His teacher thought it was because he got too hot at gym class, so she let him stay. Thinking he was alright, we went to his sister's basketball game (yea - PC won!) but shortly after getting home, he was throwing up again. It has hit him hard, because this is the first time I can remember him ever throwing up on the floor (or should I say, light colored CARPET). I am so blessed because I have a wonderful husband who was right next to me cleaning up the mess that covered alot of territory.
I guess you better pray for me too, since Christie is not a nice girl without her full nights sleep.
Anyway, on to the last chapter of Ruth: Boaz goes to the city gate, where the close relative of Elimelech comes by. Boaz asks him and ten elders of the city to sit down with him. He asks the relative if he would like to buy the land that was Elimelech's and he does want to - that is, until he finds out that he also has to take Ruth as his wife in the deal. When he finds out about the marriage deal, he freely gives the opportunity to Boaz.
When Boaz accepts the offer, the elders and men of the city, confirm it as witnesses and they give their blessing over it.
So Boaz takes Ruth as his wife and she conceives and gave birth to a son.
Vs. 14&15 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may His name become famous in Israel. May He also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."
Vs. 16&17 "Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, 'A son has been born to Naomi!' So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David."
God brought so much good out of the tragedies in Naomi's life. Once again, this chapter reminds us of God's faithfulness. I wanted to share with you the commentary in my Bible on verses 16-17 as it brings such encouragement.
"To some, the book of Ruth may be just a nice story about a girl who was fortunate. But in reality, the events recorded in Ruth were part of God's preparations for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah. Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, so we will not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity. We must make our choices with God's eternal values in mind. Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-range pleasures are not good ways to move ahead. Because of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn't see all the results. Live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of your life will extend beyond your lifetime. The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made."
What an example of abundant life when we choose to trust in our Lord and Savior
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Happy Monday! Thank you so much for praying for me. I lead 2 break-out sessions on Saturday at a retreat hosted by St. John's Lutheran Church. What a wonderful experience lead by a wonderful group of Christ-following women. It is amazing to see how God works through those who truly want to follow Him. Not only was it a renewing experience but also a great opportunity to stand on the promises of God as I shared what He has accomplished in my life. I was reminded of God's faithfulness, once again. How easily I forget.
As we continue our study of Ruth, we continue to see lessons of faithfulness. Today, let's look at chapter 3. Naomi and Ruth can expect a rough life if one of them does not get married. Naomi knows of the law in which a kinsman-redeemer was a relative who volunteered to take responsibility for the extended family when a woman's husband died. The closest relative could become the kinsmen-redeemer - if that relative did not want to, it would go to the next closest.
Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz will be threshing barley tonight and she is to get all fancied up and head to the threshing floor. She was to wait until after he is done eating and drinking, and lays down and lay down and uncover his feet when she covers up.
Now, this request probably seems very odd to Ruth, but because she trusts her faithful mother-in-law, she obeys.
This also seems odd to us but was according to Israelite custom and law. It was not a seductive act, just a custom that shows the man that he is to be the kinsman-reedemer.
When this all comes about and Ruth makes her request of Boaz, he answers: vs 11-13 "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning."
Boaz is a godly and well respected man as we saw earlier in his actions toward his servants and to Ruth. As quickly as he was able to respond to Ruth, I bet he had already been considering this opportunity. I just get all giddy inside as we watch this love story unfolding!
Do you notice that all three of our characters are God-fearing people. They also are faithful and Ruth is even called excellent. This whole story is a reference to God's faithfulness and His blessing over those who are also faithful.
When Ruth gets up to leave, Boaz fills her coat with barley to take to Naomi. When she returns and tells Naomi what had happened, she responds: "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."
Even though, we so easily forget - our God is faithful. We can always stand firm on His promises. We can always rely on Him. We can always trust in Him. We can always believe that He will never leave or forsake us.
Are you a faithful person? Do people know that you will keep your word? Do you show others that you are reliable and will do your best? Your actions do make a difference. People won't want to get to know Jesus until they can see Jesus in you.
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
As we continue our study of Ruth, we continue to see lessons of faithfulness. Today, let's look at chapter 3. Naomi and Ruth can expect a rough life if one of them does not get married. Naomi knows of the law in which a kinsman-redeemer was a relative who volunteered to take responsibility for the extended family when a woman's husband died. The closest relative could become the kinsmen-redeemer - if that relative did not want to, it would go to the next closest.
Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz will be threshing barley tonight and she is to get all fancied up and head to the threshing floor. She was to wait until after he is done eating and drinking, and lays down and lay down and uncover his feet when she covers up.
Now, this request probably seems very odd to Ruth, but because she trusts her faithful mother-in-law, she obeys.
This also seems odd to us but was according to Israelite custom and law. It was not a seductive act, just a custom that shows the man that he is to be the kinsman-reedemer.
When this all comes about and Ruth makes her request of Boaz, he answers: vs 11-13 "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning."
Boaz is a godly and well respected man as we saw earlier in his actions toward his servants and to Ruth. As quickly as he was able to respond to Ruth, I bet he had already been considering this opportunity. I just get all giddy inside as we watch this love story unfolding!
Do you notice that all three of our characters are God-fearing people. They also are faithful and Ruth is even called excellent. This whole story is a reference to God's faithfulness and His blessing over those who are also faithful.
When Ruth gets up to leave, Boaz fills her coat with barley to take to Naomi. When she returns and tells Naomi what had happened, she responds: "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."
Even though, we so easily forget - our God is faithful. We can always stand firm on His promises. We can always rely on Him. We can always trust in Him. We can always believe that He will never leave or forsake us.
Are you a faithful person? Do people know that you will keep your word? Do you show others that you are reliable and will do your best? Your actions do make a difference. People won't want to get to know Jesus until they can see Jesus in you.
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
Friday, September 26, 2008
Happy Friday!! I'm preparing my list this morning of all I need to take with me to the women's retreat. I will be setting up tonight since I will need to be ready for a prayer meeting at 7:15am tomorrow. I ask that you will be in prayer over this retreat. I believe that God is going to do amazing things in the lives of the women there. It is so humbling and exciting to be a part of God's plan.
As we continue in our study of Ruth, I am amazed at the faithfullness of God. Maybe that's why I like this book of the Bible so much. I read something this morning that I thought was a great reminder and a great start to our study: Obedience and freedom go together, as do disobedience and slavery.
Now, on to chapter 2: The poor were allowed during the harvest to go behind the harvesters to glean what wheat may be left. Ruth takes the initiative to go out and glean to provide food for her and Naomi. In these days, without a man, a woman was much less likely to survive but that didn't stop Ruth from trying. She "happens" (by God's favor) to be gleaning in a field of a man (who just "happened" to be a Godly man) named Boaz who was also a relative of Elimelech.
He asks a servant who this woman was and gets all the scoop on her. After gaining the information, he approaches her and says: vs. 8&9 "Now, listen my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn."
She falls on her face in thankfulness and asks Boaz why he is doing this for her since she is a foreigner.
He replies: "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you you have come to take refuge."
He then, allows her to eat with his servants at mealtime and take the leftovers with her for Naomi.
After gleaning until evening, Ruth brings home the leftover food and the grain to Naomi. She is pleased and gives blessing to Boaz.
Ruth continues to work hard providing for her mother-in-law during this wheat and barley harvest.
God never tells us that this life on earth is going to be easy - Naomi and Ruth have went through many struggles. But through it all, He has never left them. He is faithful in every circumstance. His love endures forever.
Have a great day and a great weekend
Living fearlessly
Christie
As we continue in our study of Ruth, I am amazed at the faithfullness of God. Maybe that's why I like this book of the Bible so much. I read something this morning that I thought was a great reminder and a great start to our study: Obedience and freedom go together, as do disobedience and slavery.
Now, on to chapter 2: The poor were allowed during the harvest to go behind the harvesters to glean what wheat may be left. Ruth takes the initiative to go out and glean to provide food for her and Naomi. In these days, without a man, a woman was much less likely to survive but that didn't stop Ruth from trying. She "happens" (by God's favor) to be gleaning in a field of a man (who just "happened" to be a Godly man) named Boaz who was also a relative of Elimelech.
He asks a servant who this woman was and gets all the scoop on her. After gaining the information, he approaches her and says: vs. 8&9 "Now, listen my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn."
She falls on her face in thankfulness and asks Boaz why he is doing this for her since she is a foreigner.
He replies: "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you you have come to take refuge."
He then, allows her to eat with his servants at mealtime and take the leftovers with her for Naomi.
After gleaning until evening, Ruth brings home the leftover food and the grain to Naomi. She is pleased and gives blessing to Boaz.
Ruth continues to work hard providing for her mother-in-law during this wheat and barley harvest.
God never tells us that this life on earth is going to be easy - Naomi and Ruth have went through many struggles. But through it all, He has never left them. He is faithful in every circumstance. His love endures forever.
Have a great day and a great weekend
Living fearlessly
Christie
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I've been thinking about what book of the Bible we should study next - I remembered doing an indepth study of the book of Ruth many years ago, and really learning alot from it so I decided that we will now tackle Ruth. Let's get started:
Ruth begins in the days when judges ruled and there was a famine in Bethlehem. Elimelech took his wife (Naomi) and 2 sons (Mahlon and Chilion)from Bethlehem and moved to Moab due to the famine.
Now, the Moabites came from back in Genesis when Lot's oldest daughter had her father drink wine until he was drunk and then she had sex with him. She became pregnant and her son was named Moab.
The Moabites, among other gods, worshipped Chemosh, and their worship involved sexual immorality.
After moving to Moab, Elimelech dies and Naomi was left with her 2 son who then both take Moabite women as wives (Orpah and Ruth). After about 10 years, Mahlon and Chilion die too.
FYI- By God, Israelites were not to intermarry with other nations
After all this, Naomi hears that the famine is over and plans to return to Bethlehem. When she is prepared to go, she says goodbye to her daughter-in-laws and gives them her blessing. They inform her that they are not leaving her but returning with her.
She tries to convince them to stay saying that she will not have any more sons for them to marry and they should be with their family. Through tears, Orpah decides to stay but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. Vs. 16&17 "But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.'"
Wow! Knowing the Moabite background, I would have to guess that Naomi had quite an impact on these two girls, especially Ruth. We don't specifically know much about her, but her willingness to be faithful to Naomi and her God makes me think that Naomi had been showing God's love to her daughter-in-law.
So the 2 of them go to Bethlehem and caused quite a stir among the other people there. Naomi tells themin vs. 20&21: She said to them "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?"
I'm sure Naomi's Bethlehem friends were wondering why she was bringing a Moabite into their presence. They both probably got "those looks" from the other women but Ruth continues to stay faithfully by Naomi's side.
From Naomi's words to the other women, we see her pain continues over the loss of her family. She feels that the Lord is against her. That's a feeling that I have felt before and I'm sure you have too.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
When times are good, be happy but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
Bad times can come to the totally innocent, as they did to Jesus. Righteous people suffer. Sometimes that suffering is due to sin in the world. Sometimes suffering comes to the righteous because God has a plan that is hidden from their sight. But bad times can be a result of personal or corporate sin, for we do reap what we sow and God does test His people. That is why we must continually examine our hearts to see if we have wandered into the darkness.
Have a great day
Christie
Ruth begins in the days when judges ruled and there was a famine in Bethlehem. Elimelech took his wife (Naomi) and 2 sons (Mahlon and Chilion)from Bethlehem and moved to Moab due to the famine.
Now, the Moabites came from back in Genesis when Lot's oldest daughter had her father drink wine until he was drunk and then she had sex with him. She became pregnant and her son was named Moab.
The Moabites, among other gods, worshipped Chemosh, and their worship involved sexual immorality.
After moving to Moab, Elimelech dies and Naomi was left with her 2 son who then both take Moabite women as wives (Orpah and Ruth). After about 10 years, Mahlon and Chilion die too.
FYI- By God, Israelites were not to intermarry with other nations
After all this, Naomi hears that the famine is over and plans to return to Bethlehem. When she is prepared to go, she says goodbye to her daughter-in-laws and gives them her blessing. They inform her that they are not leaving her but returning with her.
She tries to convince them to stay saying that she will not have any more sons for them to marry and they should be with their family. Through tears, Orpah decides to stay but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. Vs. 16&17 "But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.'"
Wow! Knowing the Moabite background, I would have to guess that Naomi had quite an impact on these two girls, especially Ruth. We don't specifically know much about her, but her willingness to be faithful to Naomi and her God makes me think that Naomi had been showing God's love to her daughter-in-law.
So the 2 of them go to Bethlehem and caused quite a stir among the other people there. Naomi tells themin vs. 20&21: She said to them "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?"
I'm sure Naomi's Bethlehem friends were wondering why she was bringing a Moabite into their presence. They both probably got "those looks" from the other women but Ruth continues to stay faithfully by Naomi's side.
From Naomi's words to the other women, we see her pain continues over the loss of her family. She feels that the Lord is against her. That's a feeling that I have felt before and I'm sure you have too.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
When times are good, be happy but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
Bad times can come to the totally innocent, as they did to Jesus. Righteous people suffer. Sometimes that suffering is due to sin in the world. Sometimes suffering comes to the righteous because God has a plan that is hidden from their sight. But bad times can be a result of personal or corporate sin, for we do reap what we sow and God does test His people. That is why we must continually examine our hearts to see if we have wandered into the darkness.
Have a great day
Christie
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
God has given me a great opportunity to share what He has accomplished in my life. On Saturday, I will be leading 2 breakout sessions at a women's retreat. I have to admit, I'm becoming more nervous as the day approaches. In regards to this, I received some very encouraging Scripture yesterday, from our pastor.
I wanted to share these passages with you also - whether you are publicly speaking this week or not, the same principles apply. God wants us to share Him with everyone we come into contact with.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.
Is 55:11 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Ezk 3:17 ...Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning for me
And one of my favorites that always seems to pull me from my worries:
Mark 4:40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
Whatever God is prompting you to say or do, today - know that you can trust in the One who is trustworthy
Living fearlessly
Christie
I wanted to share these passages with you also - whether you are publicly speaking this week or not, the same principles apply. God wants us to share Him with everyone we come into contact with.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.
Is 55:11 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Ezk 3:17 ...Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning for me
And one of my favorites that always seems to pull me from my worries:
Mark 4:40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
Whatever God is prompting you to say or do, today - know that you can trust in the One who is trustworthy
Living fearlessly
Christie
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Good morning all my bloggy friends! I hope this day finds you feeling great and prepared to serve our Lord.
As I write this post, I am watching 2 of my daycare children spin around in circles. I thought to myself, I have got myself into alot of trouble this way - as they spin, it is fun and exciting but the aftermath of dizziness makes you wish that you hadn't had so much fun.
While I was waiting for my internet to return so we could get back to Jonah, I was studying in Proverbs. The first four chapters brought much insight on wisdom. Two of my favorite verses in Proverbs is 3:5&6 but as the read the next two verses, I was impacted. Vs. 7&8 "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."
Check this out! Those short term happy and good feelings that we receive when we are in the midst of our favorite sin, cannot compare to turning away from that evil and having God bring healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
I was just discussing with a friend yesterday, about how there is no greater feeling than being consumed by the love and peace of God. No drug or sin could ever produce a greater feeling. Why seek these temporary fixes when we could have the peace of God at all times? It is our choice. For me, the guilt that consumes me when in the midst of or after sin, is not something that I enjoy. Consider this guilt before you make your choice, its condemning feeling comes from the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:11-15
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
What choice will you make?
Living fearlessly
Christie
As I write this post, I am watching 2 of my daycare children spin around in circles. I thought to myself, I have got myself into alot of trouble this way - as they spin, it is fun and exciting but the aftermath of dizziness makes you wish that you hadn't had so much fun.
While I was waiting for my internet to return so we could get back to Jonah, I was studying in Proverbs. The first four chapters brought much insight on wisdom. Two of my favorite verses in Proverbs is 3:5&6 but as the read the next two verses, I was impacted. Vs. 7&8 "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."
Check this out! Those short term happy and good feelings that we receive when we are in the midst of our favorite sin, cannot compare to turning away from that evil and having God bring healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
I was just discussing with a friend yesterday, about how there is no greater feeling than being consumed by the love and peace of God. No drug or sin could ever produce a greater feeling. Why seek these temporary fixes when we could have the peace of God at all times? It is our choice. For me, the guilt that consumes me when in the midst of or after sin, is not something that I enjoy. Consider this guilt before you make your choice, its condemning feeling comes from the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:11-15
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
What choice will you make?
Living fearlessly
Christie
Monday, September 22, 2008
Yesterday, our pastor, Brian Bill, bravely attacked a sometimes confusing and much debated issue of predestination. I thought you would benefit from reading it http://www.pontiacbible.org/index.php?/sermons/more/making_sense_of_predestination/
As I was driving down the road, I saw a raccoon coming up out of the ditch and preparing to cross in front of me. I noticed that as he ran across the road, he didn't look at anything around him, like my car coming right at him, but looking straight ahead, staying completely focused on what he was doing and where he was heading. It hit me at that very moment, I can be so much like that raccoon - not thinking of anything else but myself. Not concerning myself with other people and how they feel or what they need, but keeping my focus on what I'm doing and where I'm going.
I was reminded of this as I read Jonah 4. We talked last week about how God had made good out of Jonah's mistake and you would think that he would have been happy about it - but it's just not what Jonah wanted.
When Jonah saw that the people of Nineveh had repented, he became angry with God and threw himself into a pity party telling God "Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life."
As a Jew, Jonah was still against bringing salvation to the Gentiles. He didn't feel that the Ninevites deserved God's grace. How many times do we choose who we tell about Jesus? Isn't it easier to tell those who are like us or those we are comfortable with. When we choose who "deserves" to hear the Good News, we are forgetting our call from God just like Jonah. Guess what - you and I don't deserve salvation, either!!!
Then, Jonah goes out of the city, builds a shelter and sits (I would guess, pouting). God causes a plant to grow up and give Jonah comforting shade from the heat but overnight a worm attacks the plant and it dies. God causes a scorching wind and the sun beating down on Jonah makes him feel faint and miserable. He again, asks God to take his life.
My initial thought was "what a crybaby! he needs to get over himself" - that was until I thought about how many pity parties I have sat in over much less. Ouch!
Listen to God's response to Jonah. It sure put me in my place. "You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more that 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals."
My Bible commentary says this: Jonah was angry at the withering of the the plant, but not over what could have happened to Nineveh. Most of us have cried at the death of a pet or when an object with sentimental value was broken, but have we cried over the fact that a friend does not know God? How easy it is to be more sensitive to our own interests than to the spiritual needs of people around us.
OUCH!
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
As I was driving down the road, I saw a raccoon coming up out of the ditch and preparing to cross in front of me. I noticed that as he ran across the road, he didn't look at anything around him, like my car coming right at him, but looking straight ahead, staying completely focused on what he was doing and where he was heading. It hit me at that very moment, I can be so much like that raccoon - not thinking of anything else but myself. Not concerning myself with other people and how they feel or what they need, but keeping my focus on what I'm doing and where I'm going.
I was reminded of this as I read Jonah 4. We talked last week about how God had made good out of Jonah's mistake and you would think that he would have been happy about it - but it's just not what Jonah wanted.
When Jonah saw that the people of Nineveh had repented, he became angry with God and threw himself into a pity party telling God "Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life."
As a Jew, Jonah was still against bringing salvation to the Gentiles. He didn't feel that the Ninevites deserved God's grace. How many times do we choose who we tell about Jesus? Isn't it easier to tell those who are like us or those we are comfortable with. When we choose who "deserves" to hear the Good News, we are forgetting our call from God just like Jonah. Guess what - you and I don't deserve salvation, either!!!
Then, Jonah goes out of the city, builds a shelter and sits (I would guess, pouting). God causes a plant to grow up and give Jonah comforting shade from the heat but overnight a worm attacks the plant and it dies. God causes a scorching wind and the sun beating down on Jonah makes him feel faint and miserable. He again, asks God to take his life.
My initial thought was "what a crybaby! he needs to get over himself" - that was until I thought about how many pity parties I have sat in over much less. Ouch!
Listen to God's response to Jonah. It sure put me in my place. "You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more that 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals."
My Bible commentary says this: Jonah was angry at the withering of the the plant, but not over what could have happened to Nineveh. Most of us have cried at the death of a pet or when an object with sentimental value was broken, but have we cried over the fact that a friend does not know God? How easy it is to be more sensitive to our own interests than to the spiritual needs of people around us.
OUCH!
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
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