Monday, December 19, 2011

Has God spanked you lately?

Yesterday morning we had a wonderful sermon centered on Jonah Chapter 2.  In Chapter 1, Jonah had run from God's command to go to Ninevah and preach to them.  When woken on the ship (during his escape journey), he told the them God was his God and he feared him.  Really?  He was running from him and not obeying him.  To get his attention, God spanked Jonah hard.  He threw him into the water and let a whale swallow him.  It was easier for God to get 600,000 people to repent than it was to get Jonah to go and do his part.  As Pastor Owens said, anyone who is in the belly of a whale quickly becomes a praying person. :)  And Jonah quickly came back to his God.  (If this story seems scattered, please read Jonah.  Short book with great meaning.)

Pastor Owens' point was that when you are a child of God, truly a child of God, he will spank you to get your attention.  He wants you back with him.  Are you in the belly of a whale right now?  Have you been listening to God instead of telling Him what you want to do?  We are all there at different times, myself included.  Give God your attention and go fully into His path for you. He's waiting to bless you abundantly.

Lord, thank you for your discipline and love.  I pray for anyone in the belly of the whale right now, that they will turn their eyes back to you and come running with their arms wide open.  We know you will embrace us. 
I lift up those I love to you, knowing you will cradle them.  Amen.

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