Lessons from Jonah

Via Pinterest

The story of Jonah is one I heard many times throughout my childhood. But it's not just a child's story. There is much that we can learn from the book of Jonah.
*God doesn't change His commands to suit us. Jonah was told to go to Ninevah. But Joseph didn't want to. Ninevah was a big city full of wicked people.(4:11, 1:2) Instead Joseph decided to go "from the presence of the Lord". (1:2) Jonah would have done anything as long as he didn't have to go to Ninevah. But did God change his command? No, God still commanded Jonah to go(3:10) and punished him for his disobedience. 

For I am the LORD, I change not; (Mal 3:6) 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Heb 13:8)  

God doesn't change. Just because we don't like his command or it's inconvenient for us doesn't mean we don't have to do it. We must fully obey all his commands!
*Never underestimate the power of God's word Jonah's message was a simple one "yet forty days and Ninevah shall be overthrown." Ninevah was a wicked city. (1:2) But despite their great wickedness, God's word pierced their hearts. That simple message was all it took for everyone to repent. (3:5).
Are we doing our part in spreading the word of God? 
*Our decisions and actions effect others Jonah's decision to run from God put the sailors lives in danger. His decision to obey God gave those in Ninevah a chance to turn to God. 
What we decide to do will effect others in some way. We must be careful that we are bringing others encouragement and not harm. 
*God is always willing to forgive God forgave the people of Ninevah when they repented and turned to Him. It was because of their decision that He didn't destroy the city.  
God will forgive us if we fully obey the plan He's given us. There is no sin too big for God's mercy!


Thank you so much for stopping by! 

I would love for you to join us on Facebook, Twitter, or our email list! 

It's Not My Fault!

Last week we discussed how Eve reasoned in her heart and because of that disobeyed God by eating of the tree. Of course, she didn't stop there. She gave the fruit to Adam to eat as well. They were afraid when they heard God, so they tried to hide from Him.

( Gen 3:9-13)And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof  I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

God asked Adam if he had ate the fruit. And what did Adam do? He said "It was the woman! She gave it to me!" So then God asked Eve the question. And she did the exact same thing! She said "The serpent tricked me!"

They both blamed someone else for their sin! When it was truly their fault. Yes, Eve gave Adam the fruit. But he made the decision to eat it. And the serpent did tempt Eve. But it was ultimately her decision to disobey God. They should have took responsibility for their sins. (Kind of makes you wonder what would have happened if Adam answered "Yes, I did it." instead.)

Do you blame others for your sin?  We all will mess up (Romans 3:23), and when we do we must not blame others. We must realize that it was our fault! We must take responsibility when we fall.


Linking up with these blogs:A Mama's Story, Changed by the Maker, Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, What Joy is Mine, Working Kansas Homemaker, Becoming a Strong Woman of God, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Heavenly Homemakers, Thankful Homemaker, Time-Warp Wife, A Mother's Heritage, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well

The Truth About...

I recently found this wonderful website(Thanks Vrtuous Magizine!) It has videos on God's view on both moral issues and proper worship. Theses videos are free to watch online!

Some issues addressed include: 

• Modesty
• Drinking
• Lying
• Bible Study
• Communion
• Giving
• And many more

Head over and check out this great resource! 

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

I would love for you to join us on Facebook, Twitter, or our email list! 

Serve Christ

 Just joining in our Proverbs 31 study? Click here to read more!

Via

(Pro 31:29)Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

The virtuous woman excelled. That is, after all, what she strived for. But what made her surpass others? Her attitude! She had the heart of a servant. In all that she did her main goal and desire was to please God!

As a Christian we must become servants of Christ!

(John 12:27)If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

How do we serve Him? By following Him, obeying his commands.

(John 14:15)If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Obey just the commandments that are convenient to us? Or just the ones that we think are a good idea? No, we must obey all His commands!

It's so sad to see those who think that because they keep a few of God's commands that they won't go to hell. I don't understand where they get this logic. If you tell your child to pick up their toys and they only pick up 2 is that good enough? Or are you going to explain that you want them to pick them all up?

Partial obedience is disobedience. We can't just pick and choose what we obey!

Think back on the Israelites moving the ark in 2 Samuel. God had given clear instructions regarding moving the ark when He gave them the instructions to build it. It was to be moved by members of the Levi tribe, carried by poles inserted through rings on the ark. They were not to touch anything other than the poles.(Exodus 25, Numbers 3)

But instead of doing this, they place the ark on a new cart. It was new, so it was probably pretty nice. They must have thought that God would like this new cart. But they hit a bump and the oxen pulling the cart caused it to shake. Uzzah(who was close by) reached out his hand to steady it. Surely his intentions were pure. He was just trying to keep the ark from being damaged. But he disobeyed God. And was killed for violating this command.

We must obey all his commandments! And in order to do this we must be like those Christians in Berea.

(Acts 17:11)These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

They were ready to receive the word-their hearts were open to learning the truth! But they didn't just believe what Paul told them. They searched the scriptures to make sure that what he said was the truth!

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

I would love for you to join us on Facebook, Twitter, or our email list! 

Linking up with these blogs: Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Heavenly Homemakers, Time-Warp Wife, Deep Roots at Home, Our Simple Farm, Raising Homemakers, A Mama's Story, Women Living Well, The Alabaster Jar, Thankful Homemaker, These Five of Mine Plus Two, Changed by the Maker, Working Kansas Homemaker, Our Simple Country Life, Homemaker By Choice

Be Prepared

 Just joining in our Proverbs 31 study? Click here to read more!

via

(Pro 31:21)She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

The virtuous woman, yet again, puts others before herself. It isn't something we can just do once and check it off the to-do list. Putting others first must be done daily! 


Why was she not afraid of the coming snow? She was prepared! She knew that cold was coming and did everything she could to make sure her family was protected. The word here translated scarlet can also mean double garments. I think this is a more appropriate translation of the word, as wearing one color isn't any warmer than any other. She had to make sure that her household had enough clothing to keep warm. Remember how much work that is for her? I'm sure it took her a long time to prepare for her entire household! 


Today it isn't as hard for us to prepare for winter. Most of us can simply run to the store and pick up what we need. And although preparing our families for winter is important, there is something much more important that we must make sure our family is prepared for-the judgement. 

(Heb 9:27)And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

This is the most important thing we will ever prepare ourselves for! Make sure you are prepared!

Free e-book: Receiving the Gift of Salvation

Linking up with these blogs: Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, Deep Roots at Home, Women Living Well, Raising Homemakers,  Our Simple Farm, Raising Mighty Arrows,  Our Simple Country Life, Homemaker by Choice, Delight Thyself