Running away from God

“ The word of the Lord came to Jonah… But Jonah ran away from the Lord… Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.”

Jonah 1:1,3,4

If your life is in a complete whirlwind of stress, confusion, and fear right now; if your life seems cluttered, out of order and going in circles, then maybe it’s time to stop and listen, LISTEN, to God… there is a good chance he’s just trying to get your attention.

Your prayers are heard

"... From the belly of the grave I cried, 'Help!' 

You heard my cry... you pulled me up from that grave alive,

O God, my God!

... My prayer got through to you, made it all the way to your holy temple!..."

Jonah 2:1-9 MSG

My friend, God hears your cry. 

Wait on Him. 

Pray and believe: His rescue is upon you!

http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=1JGXD4iH&id=EC6214A3625FBCD9B0DBD55F99054F7955F601AB&thid=OIP.1JGXD4iHB2hZuDv_uIPE-wEsCo&q=God+to+the+rescue+of+the+prayer&simid=607987690609705558&selectedIndex=4&ajaxhist=0

God's plan is the only plan, so heed his calls.

"God's word came to Jonah..."Up on your feet and on your way to the big city... But Jonah got up and went the other direction... running away from God.. as far away from God as he could get.  But God sent a huge storm at sea, the waves towering... Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah..." Jonah 1:1-6, 17 MSG

When God calls you might as well give in... you will never be able to run far enough, fast enough, or hide well enough for him NOT to find you.  One way or another he will catch you and his will, will come to fruition in your life.  So, instead of wasting your own precious time, and that's all your wasting, you might as well let the good Lord do with you what he's going to do.  Believe me, it is going to be something a trillion times better then you will ever be trying to do in your own might.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=MfeDX36f&id=F113787239C14A87A07DB43C13F7A36F819FBFD2&thid=OIP.MfeDX36fNF0ffiUCa5sRowEsDh&q=you+can%27t+out+run+God&simid=608028243686654345&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0

Cut others some slack

“And should not I spark Nineveh… in which there are more than 120,000 persons not [yet old enough to] know their right hand from their left…?” Jonah 4:11 AMP

There was a point in your life when you had no idea of the hurt and pain you caused others to experience, or caused yourself to experience, correct?  However, when you came to know God on an intimate level, you realized that if it wasn’t for His pouring of mercy and grace,  your days would have, and should have, been numbered a long time ago.  Well, don’t you think that others deserve that same chance?  So many people don’t know Christ, and we need to cut some slack at times.  Instead of reacting with anger, and coldness, our duty is to pray for, and be an example for them; guide them, and love them.  Yes, it is very difficult to do, but I believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that if we are generous with our grace and mercy, then God will continually pour more of His grace and mercy over us, (and we can all use more of that!).

I truly believe that whatever attitudes and mannerisms we share with others, will be doubly shared right back to us - good and/or bad.  So, make sure what you are sharing of yourself is what you want shared back with you. Not only will it help your relationship grow with God, it will also help your current relationships strengthen, become more loving, and the world around you in general will be a more beautiful and brighter place for you to live.

Is God trying to get your attention?

“Now the Lord had prepared and appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah…” Jonah 1:17

Have you ever found yourself in a situation asking, “How in the world did I get myself into this?  Why is this happening?” If so, then instead of trying to figure it out on your own, maybe you should ask God.  There could be a darn good chance that He is trying to get your attention, and putting you in a desperate situation is the only way He could get you out of yourself long enough to call on Him.  Take some time with God, and see what He places in your heart; maybe you’ve been trying to avoid something, or someone, you know you need to confront, or tell the truth about something your hiding, or even being bold enough to take a huge step of faith?? Essentially, is there something that you know God wants you to do, but you aren’t doing it?

I believe the reason we find ourselves in peculiar, stressful, hard-pressed situations, is so that we finally cry out to God!  Friends, God loves us so much, and when He places thoughts, actions, etc., on our hearts, He wants us to take action – obey!  So, before you get into a desperate situation, do what God is telling you to do – life will be so much more peaceful and blessed.  However, if you are currently in a hopeless, desperate situation, then don’t worry!  Grab hold to God, repent, and thank Him for caring for you enough to get your attention.  From there, as you walk forward with Him, His amazing glory and grace will thrust you from the depths of darkness, onto the mountain tops on high!  Your desperation will soon come to an end!