[lead dropcap="yes"]How many times have we heard God’s voice telling us to do something or felt his presence leading us in a new direction? And, how many times have we ignored his call and headed in the opposite direction? [/lead]On communion Sunday, pastor Dawncheré Wilkerson continued the third week of talks on the book of Jonah, the reluctant prophet. God told Jonah to preach to Nineveh, but Jonah decided to run from God’s call. Jonah did not want an interaction with God. There are times when we too say to God, “I don’t want to interact with you right now” or “God, I don't want you to speak to the wounded places in my heart. I know this area in my life is broken but I don’t want to face the hard and painful truth.” Brokenness and healing are never easy, but they are a part of the process that make us stronger. The presence of God gives comfort and peace to those who need it but can be haunting for those running away from it.We saw in Jonah chapter 1, God brewed a storm while Jonah’s boat was in the middle of the sea. Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed into the belly of a fish, from where he finally cried out to God. God spared Jonah’s life and, in Jonah chapter 3, God spoke to Jonah a second time. Though Jonah ran away from God more than once, God never left him astray. This is the perfect and loving God that we serve, a God of second chances.
While there may be sin, pain or bitterness in our lives, we can be comforted by the fact that God said, if we cry out to him, he will answer and redeem us. God is gracious. He is not in the business of rejecting and condemning. God seeks to rescue us, to spare us, and to use us for his greater plan just like he did with Abraham, David, and Jonah. He gave everything, including his life, so that we may have life and second chances. We can live freely knowing that his work is never done in our lives.[epq-quote align="align-center"]"True repentance isn't just who you're turning from, it's who you're turning to." - DawnCheré Wilkerson[/epq-quote]
Many of us find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle where we run from God, God throws us in a storm, we pray our way out of it, but then we still fail to go and be obedient to his word. We go back to sin and compromise and repeat the cycle again and again. Today, make the decision to go where God leads, to walk with him. Let’s not let fear of the unknown or even fear of his great promise keep us where we are or from walking in obedience. Your choice to obey God’s word can be the very thing that brings salvation to others. Take advantage of the second chance that God is giving you so your light can shine in this dark world. As you make the choice to follow God, you give way to the chance for God to make a complete change in your life. Let him make the change, today!
Listen to the Full Message
[cta heading="Download the VOUS SOAP Journal" subtext="Join us as we study the Book of Jonah with this 5-Week Bible journal." actiontext="Download" link="http://blog.vouschurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Jonah-SOAP-download.pdf"]No, we cannot run away from the purpose God has for our lives. Over the next 5 weeks we will dive into the book of Jonah. Take the leap of faith with us! Download a copy of the The Book of Jonah S.O.A.P journal today.
Making Space for Five Services
VOUS Church is making space as we transition to 5 services each Sunday at 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. Our hope is that as we make ourselves available to God, he will use us to further share his promise and message to all those who need it. As we make space his oil will keep overflowing!
%202.avif)
