What Did I Learn From Jonah Today?

So today I’m reading the book of Jonah as part of my annual bible reading plan. I’ve read this book at least 36 times (that’s how many years I’ve been reading the Bible annually) not to mention studying the book in college and in my ministry.

I’m reading along and approaching the fourth chapter thinking, “ok, I’ve got this, I understand what’s happening, Jonah doesn’t want to share God’s message with the people of Nineveh, he runs in the opposite direction, God uses some terribly confused sailors and great fish to capture Jonah’s attention, Jonah is now on his way Nineveh, - yada, yada, yada.”  I added the “yada” because I heard my associate pastor do this as he was preaching on Sunday :)

I’m now in chapter 4 and Jonah is complaining to God because He (God) changes His mind about the destruction on Nineveh based upon the people turning in repentance toward Him.  I read in verse 2 of chapter 4, “...Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people...”

An initial thought or question is “Did not Jonah care about these people? Did he turn away from his divine assignment because he would rather have seen them destroyed than saved?”

The answer came in the very next verse (3), “Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”  The Lord goes on then to teach Nineveh of His great mercies.

But additionally, what I learned from Jonah today was Jonah made his divine calling about Him and not about what God can do. I think he (Jonah) was more concerned about him being perceived as a genuine prophet (remember in God’s word a prophet who doesn’t predict accurately is not considered God’s prophet). It seems Jonah connected “success” in ministry with what people thought about him.  It wasn’t really directly about the response of the people, rather, it was about people accepting Him as God’s appointed spokesperson.

So what’s the lesson to be learned from Jonah? I think the lesson I come away with today is don’t be so consumed with the results of what you are doing for God. Yes, I think we should bear fruit and Jesus said if we followed Him, we would bear much fruit. 

However, I do think we can get so consumed with the results and not rest in the anointing, call or divine appointment that God has placed upon our lives.

So whether your in ministry, or a new job in the market place, or in school or in family life, and the results are not what we are hoping for, let us remain faithful in the call, in that anointing, in that place of appointment and trust that God is in control and will have His way. It’s not about us, it’s all about HIM.

A thought about Integrity as a Christ Follower and Pastor -- February 21, 2015

Leviticus 22

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons to be very careful with the sacred gifts that the Israelites set apart for me, so they do not bring shame on my holy name. I am the Lord.”

v.31-32

“You must faithfully keep all my commands by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord. Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you Holy.”

Today I am thinking about my role as a pastor and as I think about my pastoral responsibilities before God and the congregation I have the privilege to serve, I think of “integrity.”

As a pastor, it is so important that I exercise care in how I live out the calling of God in my life.  It is said of King David in Psalm 78:72 “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

As I reflect on that passage in Leviticus, God is very clear (in the book) on the regulations of worship, that is, offering sacrifices and living out life. Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10) are said to have offered “strange” (unauthorized) fire to the Lord and they were dealt with a swift death by God.

The chapters that follow spell out the need for purity, cleanliness, holiness and faithfulness in following God’s Word.

God then reminds Moses that Aaron and his sons need to exercise the priesthood with great care.

As a Christ follower I believe it is so important for each of us to walk “worthily” (Eph. 4) the calling that God has placed us in. We need to walk “circumspectly” (carefully) as we live out our lives for Christ.

There is so much to be said on this – but I’ll just say as a Christ follower, It is important that I know my high calling as a Christian and that I exercise care in living out this life.. I should be careful in where I go, what I do, what I say, what I feel and how I think.

Back to being a pastor, it is extremely critical that I exercise great care in this office and that I lead my family and flock with skillful hands and integrity in my heart.

Too many Christian leaders (no names mentioned less I fall into this too) have not exercised such due diligence to the high calling of God. While we must not be stuffy, aloof, hoity-toity, distant leaders, we really need to guard our hearts, continue to sharpen our skills and keep our eyes up on the calling and prize of God.

I pray as you read this that you will commit yourself to guarding your heart and developing skillful serving hands knowing the high calling God has in your life.

Look Into Your Desert and Experience God's Glory - February 9, 2015

Beholding God’s Glory in Our Wilderness Experience

Israel wandered – for a very long time they wondered (40 years)

They may have felt “stuck.”

Ada Bible Church Pastor wrote a book about this  -- he calls it “The Land Between.”

It’s that place in our lives in which we at times find ourselves in transition.. we’re not at our destination, and we are no longer at the beginning.. but somewhere in between..

Maybe you’re out of college and anticipating that job

Maybe you’re working on buying that first home – emotionally ready, financially not ready

We use language “for now”... for now I’m working this job; for now I’m living with my parents..

How much longer can we bleed financially.. it will get better...

Israel wondered.. they were no longer in Egypt.. and they were not yet in the promised land..

Exodus 16

Israel received God’s blessings – plundered Egypt, experienced a Red Sea miracle, but realizing this in between place .. they grumbled..

They grumbled against Moses and Aaron

Moses/Aaron realize the real complaint is they are complaining against the Lord.  In this dessert place of grumbling, we have this verse:

Exodus 16:10 “And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.”

In their grumbling about their situation – they looked toward the wilderness.. they looked toward the barren land .. they looked at their very situation.. and in it.. they beheld the Glory of the Lord.

Application: When we are complaining about our circumstances, pause.. consider where you are.. look at your situation and look to see the Glory of God.. you will likely see Him and His plan for your life.