image from sermons.faithlife.com
Hear the devotional here: http://bit.ly/2Niufof
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nin'eveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nin'eveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nin'eveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he cried, "Yet forty days, and Nin'eveh shall be overthrown!" 5 And the people of Nin'eveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it. (Jonah 3:1-5, 10 RSV)
Happy Wednesday, ConCafe Family! May this day bring you blessings unexpected and joys unmerited, dear Friend! Make it a day of worship and blessings! We add the name of Jeff Massie, who today undergoes back surgery. Please pray for a successful surgery and a rapid period of healing. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves!
We have been studying the call of God for some time now, and this short book of the prophet Jonah is among the best known of call stories it may be so, because of the prophet's refusal at first to run rather than obey. Yet, it teaches that God is a God of second chances. Jonah, hearing God's call a second time, goes and does as he was told; entering the great city, which would require a three day journey to completely cross it, enters in and cries out the sermon God gave him; "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" The sermon, a tweet-length message says it all plainly, that the city only had forty days in which to repent because at the end of that time, the city would not be as they knew and loved it. The people of the city did not ask for further explanation! They believed and repented! All of the city put on sackcloth a clothing of the times that showed true repentance; and all of they city, from the richest to the poorest, changed their hearts away from was keeping them from God, to God! This impressed God so much that "God repented of the evil" which He had promised.
All to which we are called, we never go alone. God equips and God sends, and usually, God does! Yes, we're in there, and usually we're the only ones seen, but it is all God, all the time! It was Jonah's mouth, but God's words It was Jonah's feet that walked that long entry into the city; but it was God's Holy Spirit that gave him the energy. It was Jonah's willingness to go, but God's power that reached the people's hearts. I may sit behind the computer, but my heart and spirit write what I have experienced and known, but only as God directs; for I want Him to be glorified and honored.
So what has God called you to? To be more serving? To be more loving? To be friendlier? To be more giving? Whatever the task, please never look at the task as too big or too small. The same God who called you will equip you and will go with you. God will give you the wisdom, the boldness, the words; whatever it takes. So, go. And do. And be.
PRAYER: Lord God, send me. In Thy name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Go!
Receive my blessings, so go! Do. Be.
Pastor Eradio Valverde
