[lead dropcap="yes"]It was almost impossible to step in through the entrance doors of Vous Church this Sunday and not become completely overwhelmed with joy as we took on the coldest day of 2017. As the church began to fill and even overflow, the hearts of everyone in attendance also began to overflow. This being the accurate and deserving response for what God has already begun to do and will continue to do throughout this new year.[/lead]
We began the year focusing in on the life of Jonah, the reluctant prophet, who although did everything he could to run away from the direction of God, found himself engulfed in the belly of a fish - A.K.A the will of God. Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. continued speaking on this collection of talks on the Book of Jonah and brought to light what Jonah decided to do when he had nothing else to do, pray. Sometimes it takes God to break us in order to shape us into who we are truly called to be. [epq-quote align="align-center"]Do not mistake God's provision as punishment. - Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr.[/epq-quote] The storm was only the surface of God's plan for Jonah, as he was thrown overboard and the seas calmed, he began to sink to the depths of the sea. A giant fish then swallowed him whole and that is where the true God experience would begin. God was using the fish to shape Jonah into the man he was called to be. It was cramped and tight, like that of a cast for a broken arm, but it was the molding tool of God's choosing to shape Jonah. He found himself at his lowest point and in despair but in the belly of the fish, Jonah decides that he is going to pray.
Here are 3 things we learn from Jonah's Prayers From The Fish:
1. Pray with Precision
Jonah didn't let himself become overwhelmed with worry or fear but he prayed specifically and precisely. Some of us are precise with our worry but generic with our prayer. When you find yourself helpless, not hopeless, pray specifically for what it is you need God to do in your life. We need specific responses from God, not generic ones.
2. Pray with Passion
Jonah's prayers were filled with emotion and desperation that ultimately led him to become determined. He became persistent in his prayers and determined to be in God's presence and will. We learn that desperation isn't bad but ultimately what is your desperation for? It must be founded in prayers filled with passion and hearts after God's will.
3. Pray with Posture
Jonah is not praying the prayer for deliverance but rather from deliverance.He did not wait to get out of the fish to be thankful with God but rather he prayed as if he was already out. His posture is one of gratitude and thankfulness. When you start to get reshaped it's painful but because it hurts you, you know it is helping. If God is going to reshape you then you must change your posture.This year allow God to reshape you through His will. It may hurt at times but in pain comes change. Through a prayer-life filled with precision, passion, and posture you can come out, like Jonah, being the man or woman God has called you to be.
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.
%202.avif)
