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Does God Change His Mind?

4/26/2015

Monday's Blessing
Jonah 3:10

"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."

There is nothing more frustrating than being a parent and trying to follow the good book. "Spare the rod and spoil the child" is in the back of any effective parent's mind when it comes to uprearing.

OK, so the concrete definition of the "rod" has changed and taken the back burner to other effective reinforcements in the form of consequences. Nonetheless, moral values get enforced and fully functioning beings emerge with diligent patience.

But even with the best interests at heart, and the strongest stance enforced, there are times when we relinquish punishments. How can you say no to that pleading face that has just apologized to his brother and straightened up the living room in good faith? Sometimes you just can't because good intentions bring forth a whole new spectrum when a child knowingly repents from bad behavior.

And God changes his mind too.........

God changed his mind about destroying the people of Nineveh. He called Jonah to tell the city of Nineveh that God was going to destroy the city in forty days. To Jonah's dismay, "the Ninevites believed God." (Jonah 3:5. When the king of Nineveh heard Jonah's prophecy he said,

Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone
call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their
violence. Who knows? God may get relent and with compassion
turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish. (Jonah 8-9)

When God saw their change of hear, "he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened". (Jonah 10)

God can change his mind when we demonstrate a change of heart.

And so we may be tempted to think, "What may be will happen". God will do what he sees best so what's the point? Why pray? Nothing can be further from the truth. Just as in Nineveh, we too can change God's heart. Our prayers matter and that is why we pray.

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Hiding From God

4/19/2015

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Monday's Blessing
Jonah 2:1-2

"Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, 'I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of "Sheol; You heard my voice.'"

After receiving my initial diagnosis of a chronic illness, I hid. I can still remember the doctor saying, "There is no cure for this. It is manageable if you are diligent. But you must be careful it does not evolve into something more."

"Why?" I cried out. Hadn't I been through enough already? I just lost my vision for a new educational facility when the doors closed. There were no jobs in the prospect because I was simply just plain too old to secure another teaching position in a school that would pay efficiently. So I hid from God. Oh, I prayed and went through the rudimentary steps, but there were many days my broken heart wondered why I was forsaken.

Humanity has a history of hiding from God when times are tough. The prophet Jonah tried to run away from God when he didn't want to accept what God was telling him. God told Jonah to travel 500 miles from home and preach to the city of Nineveh. What did Jonah do? He ran the other way. But God has a way of finding us each time no matter where we hide. He brought on a great storm when Jonah was a stowaway. Jonah convinced the crew to throw him overboard because he knew he caused the storm. When they did a great fish swallowed him. He was in the fish's belly for three days and three nights.

Finally "Then Jonah prayed.... from the stomach of the fish." (Jonah 2:1). And God heard. "From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry." (verse 2) His prayer was a piecemeal collection from all the Psalms praising God. As soon as Jonah finished his prayer God directed the fish to vomit him up on the beach. From there he headed to Nineveh to fulfill his original calling.

When we hide, and we pray, God is still there to help us even if our desperation has rose out of disobedience or avoidance of Him.

I knew I couldn't stay upset with God and hide forever. It just wasn't in my makeup. So I asked for guidance asking God what he would like me to do now. And in the glimpse of an early fall evening God told me to offer my writing skills to those who need their souls filled. It was at that moment God's Message Today was born.

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Sometimes the Answer is No

4/12/2015

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Monday's Blessing
2 Corinthians 12:1-10

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

I can remember it like yesterday when my facility closed down. All my dreams had been crushed. All the pre-planning and envisioning a new school philosophy down the tubes. "How did it happen so quickly?" I asked myself. I had prayed and prayed for answers asking God to wrap us in his protective blanket showing me the light and how to reach it faster. My prayers seemed to go unanswered.

As we began to pack up and close down, I became ill. I didn't notice the onset as serious as it was to become, and so I completed my designated tasks holding my head high. I knew in my heart God had a new beginning planned, and with a laden heart I placed my trust in him exclusively as I had always done.

I went on to search new job openings. Something different was coming my way; something better I had absolute faith. God would have only let one opportunity slip through my hands if another better one would take its place. But, after six months of job searching I began to feel paralyzed with fear. "Was I ever going to work again? Had God forsaken me?" I began praying more fervently.

Then it happened. I became stricken with such an illness that I was laid in bed for months. God knew there was no time for a job at this point in my life, only time for healing. And he took care of my basic needs as he promises. I was at his mercy. No wonder, despite many job applications, I went unnoticed. Had I received conditional employment, I would have lost my unemployment and possibly my house during this trying time.

Didn't Jesus tell his disciples, "Ask and you shall receive?" But didn't he go to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray, "Take this cup from me." (Mark 14:36) And yet an hour later he was arrested and persecuted. On the cross he prayed more intensely, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) Yet God said no to Jesus' prayers.

Let's take a better look at what Jesus said in the Gospel, "Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24) Could the answer be that God will provide us joy not give us everything we ask for? Furthermore, if I received that job offering that I consistently prayed for would I have been stricken during the job with no means of support? God knew the end result would have been more horrific for me if he would have given me what I asked.

When God says no he longs for us to be comforted through other Christians. Through all the heartache good things can come from a no answer. Things that will lead us ultimately to joy. Our hardships offer others a network to serve. More importantly, struggles keep our egos in check. God can be glorified through our weaknesses.

In the end I spent 10 months in bed healing myself. I can tell you that two months before my unemployment ran out (yes, that was when they offered the 99 weeks when the economy was impoverished) I began to seek work again. Thirty days to my last employment check I received a job offer. That job offered began in 30 days. My employment began when my benefits wore out. God knew.....................

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Don't Stand Alone

4/4/2015

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Monday's Blessing
Acts 2:42

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer."

Christ never stated we needed to attend church while he was among us. But he did mention the need to gather in prayer. "For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." (Matthew 18:20) Churches sprung up as meeting grounds so that we can gather together as it was written.

This Easter reminds me the importance of being together. A time for new life ensues, rekindling relationships that have soured and making a special dinner for those we love. Most of us are prompted to attend morning services setting the day in motion for spiritual renewal. I am certain this was all part of God's initial plan when he sent his only begotten son. So that later he can watch us enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Where is your church family? I know I find great comfort finding and meeting up with people who are associated with my own religion. There is something binding, a deep trust that solidifies us when I do. We have common ground; we can share holy traditions asking each other what each other's plans are for the spiritual holidays.

I recently ran into a fellow church goer at my doctor's office. We chatted subconsciously organizing our weekend Easter festivities and plans. She planned on meeting some friends for breakfast before church. I, on the other hand, had plans for a scrumptious Easter brunch at home. Just that brief encounter made my heart leap and refreshed my spirit knowing someone else is glorifying the same occasion.

The balance of prayer, worship, fellowship, and study is essential for the true believer. Most importantly, we need the encouragement and support of other Christians. It reminds us we are not alone. It reminds us that others feel that great love towards the Lord,too. Other Christians stimulate our faith and strengthen us during those times we feel discouraged. Most importantly, they hold us accountable.

Some of you may feel praying alone is adequate, and that there is no need to attend a house of worship. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrew 10:25) If the early Christians needed each other's teaching and encouragement, then you know we do now in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty.

And what about your children? Are you offering them the security of knowing others of the same beliefs? Or, are you casting luck to the wind hoping your good will and mentoring will be sufficient? Take time this season to find another home if you don't have one already. Nothing will lift you more spiritually then the right house of worship!