You may think you know the story of Jonah, but there is so much more for us to learn from the book by his name. First, there is the fact that disobedience and running from God can land us in some pretty nasty circumstances. But there are, also, great lessons on God’s mercy, willingness to forgive, and what He expects from us when we’re sinned against.
Then our New Testament reading is from Revelation 8 with the beginning of the seven trumpet judgments. The first four are horrible enough, but before the fifth one sounds an angel cries, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet …”
Most people would agree that the current state of our nation’s government is one of a broken system. But there’s little agreement about how to fix it. People on one side think we need to tear down the whole thing. Others say we need to get back to what they believe are the basics of our constitutional foundations.
Though there may be huge theological and political differences, there are people on both sides of the issue who sincerely believe they are right. But as Christians, is there actually a more radical plan that we should be praying for and working toward?
Do you have a sense of guilt over something from your past? Is there someone to whom you need to make amends or restitution? Restitution is restoring or paying back something that has been lost, stolen, or damaged. Maybe it’s not something you actually stole. Maybe you hurt or sinned against someone and you need to seek forgiveness. Is there a letter you need to write or a call you need to make? Could not doing so be hindering your relationship with God?
Abortion is all over the news. It’s fodder for political debates and can spark emotions on every side of the issue. As we move closer to the end of this age and the rise of anti-Christ, we shouldn’t be surprised that this continues to be a bigger and bigger issue.
But abortion is also a deeply moral, personal issue. If you’ve ever had an abortion, you probably know that. Or, perhaps, you know someone else who has? It’s possible you’re contemplating an abortion now.
What do you believe God says about your possible choice? What are your reasons for contemplating that choice? Are you simply scared and don’t know what else to do?
Are forgiveness and peace possible after an abortion or are there some sins for which we never find redemption?
Whether we’ve been there, are contemplating these things personally, or just live in this fallen world with other sinners like us, we need to know how to answer these questions.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I might as well live it up, I’m going to hell anyway?” Maybe that’s you. The feeling that our spiritual condition is hopeless and not worth the effort is nothing new. Is there hope for us if we feel like we have gone too far and that our sin is beyond redemption?
Also, read about God’s faithfulness to those who continue to follow Him even in the midst of an evil world, how our hearts can so easily deceive us, and how important it is for all of us to give and receive encouragement.
God clearly commands us, even as adults, to honor and respect our parents. Yet, most of us grew up in homes with imperfect parents. Some have even endured physical, sexual, or verbal abuse. How do we honor our parents when we believe they have failed us, sometimes miserably?
What does it mean that God “remembers our sins no more”? Does it mean He forgets? And does He expect us to forget when others have hurt us? What can we do when those past hurts keep coming to our minds? Discover a helpful process that can truly help us walk out forgiveness.
Also, have you ever wondered “Where is God?” when you’re hurting? Why doesn’t He seem to be answering your prayers? Why does He allow hardships to continue? What might He be doing when trials drag on?
Do you ever find yourself arguing for argument’s sake? Do you feel like it’s your job to point out the other side of the issue or like you have to have the last word? If so, could you be a contentious woman, at least at times? And if you see this tendency, what can you do to become more Christlike?
Family feuds can be some of the most difficult to settle, yet God places a high priority on unity and peace within our biological families and within the family of God.
Sometimes that can be challenging to achieve in the midst of family feuds and misunderstandings. And there are times when we do all we can to be at peace with someone but the other person simply won’t. There can, also, be times when choosing what might look like peace is really a compromise at the cost of truth and righteousness.
