Category Archives: Religion

Serving Those Crushed By Circumstances

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The Unwanted & Discarded

I grew up in a home environment where I never doubted my parents’ love for me. I never felt abandoned or neglected. But there are those in the world who have experienced the pain of being unwanted and discarded. Most of the 153 million orphans in the world have been forsaken by their parents. They’ve been shunned and left to fend for themselves. So when James addresses this matter in Scripture, he says, “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). This is what “pure religion” looks like, he says.

Look After Orphans In Their Distress

Pure, or genuine, faith in Jesus takes care of orphans who’ve been crushed by abandonment. That’s what it means to “look after them in their distress.” For the orphan, they are distressed—crushed—by the fact that they’ve been abandoned by the very people who are supposed to care for their well‑being at any cost. One or both parents abandon their children because of custom—baby girls, for example, are considered undesirable in many non‑Christian cultures. Many are killed simply for being born as a little girl. The fortunate ones are merely abandoned. I cannot even begin to comprehend the pain and distress that would bring to these precious little ones. Some have become orphans because a war has separated them from their parents, or their parents were killed and they were spared.

Look After Widows In Their Distress

Whatever the reason, these orphaned children have been crushed by the weight of their situation. And those who have pure, genuine faith in Jesus will be moved to take care of them as much as we can. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like I’ve done enough. But James doesn’t limit his description of pure religion to caring for children who’ve been crushed by abandonment. He also says that genuine faith in Jesus takes care of widows who’ve been crushed by spousal loss. Again, I’ve never experienced the painful loss of a spouse to death. I have, however, observed it enough to know that it’s a crushing blow to the spouse left behind. It’s a distress in their life that they never quite get over. The separation is devastating for many.

Proving Faith By Caring For The Hurting

The church shows genuine faith in Jesus by taking care of the widow who’s been crushed by the loss of their mate. We may need to sacrifice our own time to spend time with them in fellowship. We may have to sacrifice financially to help meet their needs. That’s why the ministry to orphans and widows is very much like Jesus’ three‑and‑a‑half‑year ministry here on planet earth. No one ever cared more for the broken and the hurting, for the abandoned and the marginalized, than Jesus. So how do we apply this? There are ministries to get involved in, especially in the area of orphans. Become foster parents. Find something to do. Remember, pure religion is not the result of good deeds, but results in good deeds.
 

Compassion Ministry Validates Faith

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What Does Faith Look Like?

If you’re one who believes your salvation is solely about what and whom you believe in, James’s epistle has to be a bit unnerving for you! I say that because James lays down a three-part evidence of what genuine, saving faith looks like: (1) self-control over one’s speech, (2) a ministry of compassion to the needy, and (3) practical holiness. I am alluding to the words written by James’s hand while inspired by God’s Holy Spirit: “If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:26-27).

Compassion Ministry

James places the ministry of compassion on an equal plane with living a holy life and getting rid of your “potty mouth!” Unfortunately, many believers tend to separate them and elevate one area over another. Many think that becoming holy—or “keeping oneself unstained by the world,” as James says—is more important to God than taking care of widows and orphans. God doesn’t see it that way. Each one plays an equal part in living out our faith in Jesus, which is exactly what James means by “pure religion.” Ignore the chapter break—which isn’t inspired but added by well-intended individuals—and discover something even more scandalous: James declares it “favoritism” to look past the needs of orphans and widows.

Pure Religion Shows No Favoritism

See how it flows without the chapter break: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. My brothers, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:27–2:1). Failing to minister to the needs of orphans and widows is favoritism! Don’t do that, he says. He then goes on to illustrate favoritism for us in chapter 2. So, I think it’s biblically accurate to say that the “pure and undefiled religion” in 1:26–27 is the same thing as “faith in Jesus” in 2:1. Is this how you would define genuine faith? If not, perhaps you need to redefine faith the way God does. It’s His definition that counts!

Let God Define Genuine Faith

That may seem obvious to those of you who are passionate about serving Jesus, but unfortunately, that’s not the case with many in the church who claim to be Christians. I’m referring to the authority of Scripture to dictate every area of our lives—every area! There is not one part of my life that I can claim authority over. God and His Word have complete authority over every area of my life: my thought life, my work life, my sex life, etc. God’s Word has complete authority over all of it! What “I think” and what “I believe” must be submitted to the revelation of Scripture, then repented of and changed when it doesn’t match up. Are we in agreement? That is a fundamental of authentic faith in Jesus Christ. It’s no longer a Holy Bible when we start cutting out the parts we don’t like!
 

When Church Culture Meets Needs

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Haunted By A Scripture

I grew up in a church culture that did relatively nothing to meet physical needs. It was argued that if you gave people money, they would just spend it on booze, cigarettes, and drugs. So, we were told, “Don’t give them anything!” We had no food pantry to provide for the hungry in our city. We had no benevolent fund to assist with other needs. And yet, we thought we were being faithful to God’s Word. But there is a Scripture in James that always haunted me as I read it: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows” (James 1:27). What do you do with that?

Playing The Legalist

How can we just dismiss that? Or play the legalist and limit the spirit of the text to caring exclusively for orphans and widows? At the same time, we cannot be so preoccupied with physical needs that we omit the sharing of the Gospel. That is the problem with many socially minded churches. If we limit our care for people to physical needs and never share the Gospel with them, all we have accomplished is keeping them alive longer—only to prolong their ultimate meeting with God at the judgment, where their unbelief will be exposed. It is not “good deeds” or the Gospel. It is not an either–or. It is a both–and decision we must make.

What Is Pure Religion?

To James, pure religion is not the result of good deeds, but results in good deeds. We do not take care of the orphan, the widow, and the poor in order to attain pure religion. Rather, when our religion is the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, we become Jesus “in the flesh” when we meet the needs of the orphan, the widow, and the poor. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Salvation is “…not of works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9). But when we humble ourselves and trust Christ’s atoning work on the cross, He changes us on the inside, and the Holy Spirit gives us the heart of Jesus. As we are sanctified and grow in our faith, we will want to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the down‑trodden in our world—just like Jesus did. This ought to be a core ministry value for the church.

Look After Orphans

Look again at that verse in James, but this time let’s back up one verse and see how it flows in context from one verse to the next: “If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:26–27). Notice how James lumps together three very practical evidences of pure religion—three areas of obedience that demonstrate genuine saving faith: self‑control in your speech, a ministry of compassion to the needy, and practical holiness. See that? Inspired by the Holy Spirit, James places ministry to the needy and cleaning up a “potty mouth” on the same plane as living a holy life. More on that next week.

Pure Religion

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An Orphan’s Story

I married the granddaughter of an orphan! When my wife’s grandfather was a young boy, his father died and his mother remarried. Unfortunately, her new husband turned out not to be the kind of man she thought he was. He held no regard for her children; when she died, he considered them disposable and had them removed from his home. My wife’s grandfather was a 14-year-old boy when the authorities placed him in an orphanage where he was physically abused. Eventually, the abuse was discovered, and he was moved to a foster home where he was loved and cared for. In time, he came to faith in Jesus Christ and married my wife’s grandmother. Together, they established a Christian home—a home that produced a legacy of faith with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who have grown up loving Jesus. What a great story, right? An “orphan’s story” with a happy ending!

An Orphan Crisis

Unfortunately, that’s the exception. There is an orphan crisis in our world. I was shocked to discover that there are more than 153 million orphans worldwide. That’s staggering! If orphans were a country of their own, their population would rank 9th in the world, ahead of Russia. One hundred million of them live or work on the streets. They survive by selling flowers or cigarettes or by watching cars; many sell their bodies for sex or engage in criminal activity. Many of these street children are subjected to abuse, neglect, and exploitation; in extreme cases, they are murdered by “death squads” paid by governments to “clean up” the image of their cities.

It’s Easy To Become Hard-Hearted

So, why am I sharing all this with you? Why should you care? It’s so easy to become hardened to these images, isn’t it? We’re bombarded with infomercials—the sad faces, the sad music, the compelling stories—all meant to move us to reach into our wallets and pay up. We might even try to rationalize that many of the agencies claiming to help are just siphoning off huge amounts from donations to support elaborate lifestyles for big-name CEOs. But let me tell you why this is important: because we can’t just ignore what God’s Word says about it. God has an opinion, and we need to listen!

Look After Orphans

James 1:27, a statement inspired by the Holy Spirit, says: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” What was that? “Pure religion” is looking after orphans and widows? Is James supporting a salvation of good deeds? No, he’s not. The book James authored dovetails quite nicely with Paul’s letter to the Romans. James is not saying that your good deeds will result in salvation. Rather, he is saying that the result of genuine, saving faith in Jesus—or “pure religion”—is to love others, including orphans, widows, and the marginalized of society. God gives us a heart to love and serve them.
 

What Jesus Calls Great

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Wouldn’t You Like To Know?

Have you ever given thought to what it would have been like to be one of Jesus’ disciples and just walk through life with Him? To literally walk through life with Jesus—because that was the most common method of transportation in that day! And to hear Him speak God’s wisdom into every situation they encountered! Mark, who wrote the Gospel of Mark, tells us about a time when Jesus and His disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem. Jesus gets real serious with them and begins to tell them that the chief priests and the religious leaders would condemn Him to death—that He would be mocked, spit on, flogged, and killed! And it was weird—like they didn’t even hear what He was saying—but two of the disciples, James and John, who were brothers, approached Jesus immediately after He dropped that “bomb” on them and asked if they could sit on each side of His throne in glory!

Great, to Jesus, is Service

That really ticked off the other ten disciples! Mark records it like this: “Jesus called them over and said to them, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.’” Mark 10:42–45. In so many words, Jesus was teaching them that if you’re great in God’s Kingdom, this world probably won’t even notice you!

Jesus’ Leadership Model

What Jesus calls “great” and what the world says is “great” are generally two entirely different things. Jesus calls you great when you reject the world’s leadership style (v. 42). Those who lead in this world dominate or lord it over anyone in a “subordinate” role, Jesus says. Having a position of power is of great significance—but that’s not the case in Jesus’ Kingdom! If we follow Jesus’ leadership model, we have to reject the world’s style of leadership. Instead, Jesus calls you great when your ministry is measured by the people you serve (v. 43). “…it must not be like the world’s leadership style…” among believers, He says!

Do You Want A Title

In the ministry of the church, Jesus says it’s not about having a “title.” Do you want a title? If you’re an elder, you serve! If you’re a deacon, you serve! If you’re a Sunday School teacher, a small group leader, an AWANA or nursery worker, you serve! If you’re a worship team member—it’s not a show! Jesus doesn’t care about your title. He cares about your service! You want to be great? You want a title? Take the title of “servant,” Jesus says! And then Jesus calls you great when you humble yourself and become the world’s slave (v. 44). Some versions render the word “servant,” but that’s not right! The word is doulos in the original Greek language, and the only correct way to translate it is “slave.” Jesus meant for us to take on the humility of a slave when it comes to our ministry and service to others!
 

God Makes Us Fruitful

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Through An Encounter With Jesus

No one has a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ and walks away unchanged! The deaf were made to hear. The blind were made to see. The lame could walk again. The hungry were filled. The ignorant were instructed. The guilty were forgiven. And sinners were set free from their sin!  There is nothing in Scripture to support the “cheap grace” religion so prevalent in the Western church—that someone can be saved without becoming Jesus’ disciple. Repeating words in some kind of “sinner’s prayer” is not a “get out of hell free” card!

Saved From A Self-Absorbed Life

Jesus didn’t save us to live a self-centered, self-absorbed life. He didn’t just die on the cross so we could listen to a good sermon and some worship music every Sunday morning. This post is about fruitfulness! God makes us fruitful when we enter into a genuine salvation relationship with Him. Just as you anticipate that an apple seed planted in the ground will grow into an apple tree that produces more apples, so God will produce the fruit of the Spirit in us when the seed of the Gospel is planted and His Spirit begins to indwell us. Always. Every time. Let me tell you why that’s important. It’s important because if you don’t get this right, it could lead to eternal judgment and condemnation.

Gotta Get This Right

If you’re holding on to some prayer you repeated in third-grade Children’s Church as proof you’re going to heaven, you may have been misled. The Scriptures never encourage us to hold onto something we did or said—or something our parents or pastor did or said—as proof of our salvation. God’s Word focuses on a changed life and a progressively changing life now. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “If you love Me,” Jesus said, “you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) Our life will be marked by a love for obedience to God’s Word and a hatred and abhorrence for all sin we stumble into. The Apostle John wrote: “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) The written Word, inspired by God’s Spirit, was given to act like a mirror to reflect back to us our spiritual condition.

Test Yourselves

Seek proof of your conversion from the Scriptures! “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves,” the Apostle Paul wrote, “Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless you fail the test.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) Test your life according to God’s Word. Examine yourselves. Is there any evidence of a changed life? Is there fruit in your life that can only be produced by a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ? Listen to Jesus’ words: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1–2) Evidence of genuine faith is produced by life in Jesus!
 

Daniel & His Faith Community

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(Note: This is the 6th in a series of posts on Daniel’s life)

Become Part Of A Spiritual Family

I have personally witnessed great spiritual transformation in the lives of believers when they changed one thing– when they began living in the community of faith! When they got involved with other believers; when they joined a Small Group; and, they began to share their lives & do life together, that’s when their spiritual life took off! Look at how Daniel responded when King Nebuchadnezzar, of Babylon, demanded that his wise men & counselors reveal the meaning of his dream; and, what he dreamed. Daniel responded, to the crisis, by taking it to his faith community! “Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter” (Daniel 2:17). Don’t try and wing the Christian life on your own!

Created For Community

God didn’t create to be isolated from others! He created us in His image… He of the triune community! He created us for community with Himself; and, for community with each other! “Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance” (Prov. 11:14) Daniel did more than just hang out with his friends; he prayed with them! He urged “…them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men” (Daniel 2:18).  Earlier, in the passage (v.10), the King’s counselors and advisors had told him that he was demanding something, from them, that “…no man on earth could do.” And, they were right! But, Daniel knew that a man fully connected to God, through prayer, could move God to do what “…no man on earth could do” & God responded!

God’s Supernatural Work Among Us

He answered their prayers & did the impossible. He gave Daniel the dream & the interpretation:  “The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night” (2:19).  And, Daniel responded with praise (2:19-23). Praising God is the only appropriate response when we’ve experienced His supernatural work among us! He praised God’s name; or, His character & reputation! He praised God for His wisdom & power; and, for His Sovereignty over the times, the seasons & the nations! He praised God for the gift of wisdom & understanding that He shares with men! He praised God for revealing “hidden things” like dreams; and, for the grace He had personally extended him! Daniel is an excellent tutor or mentor to anyone and everyone whose heart desires to act wisely in any given situation. He didn’t rely on his own wisdom! He didn’t try and fix things himself! He dropped to his knees, and asked God for help & wisdom to do the right thing! And, he waited for God to answer!

How God Uses “Impossible” Situations

Daniel’s story shows us that God uses the “impossible” situations, in life, to expose counterfeits. The Babylonian religion was the idolatrous worship of demons! God is beginning to kick out the props holding up the King’s “faith” in his counterfeit idols. God also uses the “impossible” situations, in life, to introduce Himself— “Here I am, King! I’m the one you’re really looking for!” Daniel answered the King: “No wise man, medium, diviner-priest, or astrologer is able to make known to the King the mystery… but, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (2:27) God also uses the “impossible” situations, in life, to sanctify & grow His disciples! With every obedient step, that Daniel took, he was growing more confident in God! Life is rarely just about YOU! It’s often intertwined with the lives of others!

Messiah; Or, Not?

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-Messiah’s Everywhere!

Because of the times, it wasn’t at all uncommon for “Messiahs” to pop up all over Israel before and after Jesus’ arrival on the scene! Many were “military Messiah’s” claiming the ability & power to overthrow the Roman occupation of Israel. And, because so many of the O.T. descriptions, of Messiah, depicted a conquering king, the hopes of the people would rise each time it appeared that one of these “Messiahs” could deliver them from their oppression; and, make Israel great again!

-Protocols To Confirm Legitimacy!

So, because of all the anticipation & hope, of a coming Messiah; and, because of all the failed “Messiahs”, the Jewish religious leaders developed specific protocols to follow whenever anyone came on the scene claiming to be the Messiah. Historical records reveal a 3-step process that the Scribes and Pharisees used to investigate every Messianic claim. Just explore Matthew’s gospel— written specifically to a Jewish audience— and observe how this process played out with Jesus’ claims. Like the Scribes and Pharisees, you need to consider the evidence; and, make your own decision about Jesus Christ. You cannot remain neutral about Jesus!

-Liar, Lunatic; Or, Lord!

As C.S. Lewis put it, Jesus was either a liar (and, therefore not a good person); or, He was a lunatic (and, therefore to be pitied); or, He was Lord, the Messiah, God in the flesh and worthy of all our devotion & worship! So, let’s suppose that we were part of the religious contingent when Jesus came on the scene. Here’s how they would have responded as the claims of miracles & Messiahship began to come to their attention. First, they would begin to observe the Messianic claims from afar! That’s precisely what we see in Matthew’s gospel. A delegation was assembled, by the religious leaders; and, they simply observed Jesus. They asked no questions; and, they raised no objections.

-Observing Messianic Claims!

Their only purpose, at the first, was to put together as much information as they could to determine if the claim was legitimate enough to advance to the 2nd step. They would report back to the Sanhedrin where the religious leaders would determine, from the observations, what the next step would be moving forward. Was it a legitimate movement? Was it significant? If not, they’d call off the investigation; and, the so-called “Messianic” movement would just die a slow death! That’s most likely what was happening, in Acts chapter 5 when Gamaliel made his comments about the followers of Jesus. He warned them to be careful what they did with these followers. Let them go; and, they may just scatter over time! “But if it is of God,” he said, “you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be fighting against God.” Jesus was still being debated after His death.

-If The Messianic Claims Were Legit!

If the Sanhedrin determined the Messianic claims were potentially legitimate, they’d move to the next stage. The Messianic examination would continue with interrogations. At this point, the delegation was permitted to interview all bystanders; as well as the leaders in the movement; and, even the one claiming to be the Messiah. They would interact with His teachings; they’d raise objections; and, even attempt to trap him in such a way as to break him out of his “Messianic” character. From their studies in the Old Testament, the Jewish Rabbis; and, religious leaders knew that the Messiah would fulfill prophecy & complete certain tasks that only God would be able to perform. We know, from the Jewish writings of the time, that the sages of Israel believed the Messiah would perform 3 specific miracles to validate His identity. And, we’ve run out of time & space! So, we’ll pick it up there at our next post!

Our Blindness To Spiritual Drift!

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-Drifting Away!

Every so often I see a story, in the news, about someone who had inadvertently drifted out to sea; or, someone wasn’t paying attention as their canoe just drifted downriver toward a falls; and, they barely escaped, with their lives, once they realized that the current was rapidly putting them toward the falls. I remember getting on a blowup raft, on a camping trip, when I was probably in about 5th grade; and, just basking in the warm sun. I was not even aware that I was drifting farther away from the campsite until I came to my senses; and, realized I had drifted too far from shore! I hadn’t yet learned to swim; so, I remember being scared, for my life, as I quickly paddled back to shore.

-How Spiritual Drift Occurs!

By definition, to drift means: “A continuous slow movement from one place to another.” Spiritual drift occurs similarly in our lives! It happens when we slowly move from a place where we’re walking with God; on fire for him; passionate about prayer & reading His word; faithful to the church gatherings & Small Group, to slowly checking out; and, pulling away from the godly influences, of the faith community; and, losing our heart for worship & prayer & God’s word! We become a casualty of spiritual drift!  It never happens overnight! You won’t just wake up one morning; and, suddenly decide to forsake your faith Jesus; or, say, “Hey! I think today would be a great day to start a meth addiction”; or, “Ya know what? I think I’m going to commit adultery with someone today.”

-Where Sin Will Take You!

Big sins are always the sum of many tiny little bad choices! Someone said it like this:  “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay; and, cost you more than you want to pay.” That pretty much says it all. In Scripture, God’s people— the children of Israel— provide a consistent visual of what spiritual drift looks like. In Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, we find the Israelites returning from their Babylonian exile with great enthusiasm & praise for the Lord God. Jerusalem was rebuilt; and, the temple was restored. But, despite the fact they started well, a spiritual drift began to set in. The world’s thinking began to determine their behavior.

-Motives Underlying Religious Activity!

So, God delivers a message, through the Prophet Malachi, to take a fresh approach to the way they were thinking about God; and, to consider the motives underlying their religious activities. And, there’s an application here for us, as well. Our sinful brokenness will always keep us in desperate need of God’s word to confront our spiritual drift. And, it’s God’s word that is our spiritual lifeline. We simply cannot do the spiritual life without it. So, as we consider Israel’s spiritual failure, in the book of Malachi, over the next few posts, we’ll discover that our tendencies are no different! But, there’s hope here; for Israel & us.

-The Hope Of A New Covenant!

The hope that Malachi speaks of is a “new covenant” with God. A covenant that points to God’s great mercy & grace. There is always “good news” with God! Even if you’ve drifted spiritually, He is quick to forgive & restore you to fellowship, with Him, if you humble yourself & confess your sin to Him. But, make no mistake, if you’re a child of His; and, you’ve guilty of spiritual drift, He will confront you over it, as He did Israel, through the Prophet Malachi. God confronts us when we’re skeptical of His love. Israel had become skeptical of God’s love. They had allowed life’s circumstances to jade their thoughts about God’s love for them. How could God love them; and, allow them to be exiled from the land of promise? How could God love them; and, allow Jerusalem to be destroyed; and, the temple to be leveled? They had allowed their circumstances to blind them to God’s faithful love. We’ll look at God’s answer in our next post.

Sound Asleep!

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-A Disturbing Prejudicial Response!

For anyone claiming to follow Jesus, the Old Testament story of Jonah is a disturbing one! Our posts the last few weeks have focused on Jonah’s story. And, while it’s startling to observe Jonah’s prejudicial response to the revival of the people of Ninevah, we may be more like Jonah than we know; or, than we care to admit! The church cannot hold prejudice against any other people group, nation, or religion; and, remain true to Jesus’ commission to make disciples of every tribe, nation & people group. To make us useful, in His kingdom purposes, God must awaken us to souls nearby!

-Wake Up! Call To Your God!

Just turn back to Jonah, chapter 1, with me, and pay close attention to the words of the ship’s captain. Remember, this is the ship that Jonah chose to take passage on as he ran away from God’s calling to share the gospel message with the city of Ninevah. Starting at v.4, “Then the Lord hurled a violent wind on the sea & such a violent storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart. The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel & had stretched out & fallen into a deep sleep. The captain approached him & said, ‘What are you doing sound asleep? Get up! Call to your god. Maybe this god will consider us & we won’t perish’” (1:4-6).

-Silencing The Call Of God!

As I studied my way through this passage, the words of the ship’s captain arrested my attention. As I read it, I just let it play out in my mind like a TV drama; except, I saw it from Jonah’s vantage point— a believer;  a prophet of God; commissioned by God to take His word to another people group! But, he ran from that call! Getting on that ship; and, finding a place deep in its belly, he was determined to silence the call of God by just “sleeping it off.” He’d just wake up in a new place where, hopefully, God would just give up on him. But, as he slept— a deep sleep it says— a violent wind & storm arose on the sea; and, all the crewmen feared for their lives! So much so, that it says they, “…each CRIED OUT to their god…”

-What Are You Doing Sound Asleep?

Then, while beginning to throw the cargo overboard to keep the ship from breaking apart, the captain stumbles onto Jonah, wakes him; and, asks him:  “What are you doing sound asleep?” And, then he rebukes him, “Get up! Call to your god. Maybe this god will consider us, and we won’t perish.” What an embarrassing role reversal this was for Jonah! Who was the spiritually motivated one? The more I meditated on that picture the more it kind of morphed into an image of OUR day! Have you noticed that there’s a major storm brewing all around us with wars & rumors of wars with the constant threat of nuclear weapons? There’s fear of a worldwide economic collapse!

-Down In The Belly Of The Ship!

There’s political unrest; and, a huge racism problem. And, to personalize the drama of Jonah’s story, WE are down in the belly of the ship! Many of us, who claim to be followers of Jesus, are running away from our calling! And, just like Jonah, we’re sound asleep! Even the unbelievers around us are recognizing the grave danger we’re in. All the cargo— the stuff of this world— isn’t worth keeping. Many of the lost all around us are crying out for help; and, in my mind I see the lost discovering me down in the ship; and, they’re angry! Angry at my non-loving, non-caring attitude toward them. Why wasn’t I helping them? They cry out the same words as the ship’s captain, “What are you doing sound asleep?” If you’ve been asleep; and, God’s Spirit is rousing you, let me remind you that He is the God of 2nd chances! Even as He gave Jonah a chance, He offers you a chance to repent & jump into God’s work?