Do you like reading history? I am a bit of a history nerd. I don’t have a favorite period of history or topic. I have always enjoyed hearing inspiring stories. Some of my favorite movies share history of courage and sacrifice. Braveheart, starring Mel Gibson as William Wallace, is epic. The story of freedom is brutal, graphic, but convicting. Who hasn’t been inspired to soldier on, whatever the battle we’re facing.
Maybe I am a natural fit for the numerous inspirational and historical events in the Bible. Once I began to read the Bible seriously and find the heroes, villains, and innocent victims needing rescued, I was hooked. Tell me more.
I’ve read the entire Bible through every year, for several years. The Bible App daily reading plan has made this very easy to manage. I read a portion of Bible from the Old Testament and New Testament each morning at breakfast. The Bible App provides my daily readings. This simple tool might help you become a fan of Bible history. Check it out.
This weekend at Journey Church Cynthiana we open the Bible to a familiar story. We take a look at a rascal who got himself into a tight spot when he said, “No!” When I explain this Bible event you’ll remember the details of Bible history. God had a big plan for this fella who was a prophet and spokesman for God.
The twist in the plot of this entertaining God story began when JONAH, the person God chose to deliver hope to the lost people of Ninevah, refused to GO! He was the prophet of God. The destination city God sent Jonah to preach repentance and turnaround, before too it was too late, was Nineveh. They were bad hombres in the Bible. God was about to execute His judgement on their evil behavior. Jonah didn’t like them at all.
This is where things get interesting. Jonah was not God. Jonah didn’t particularly care if the whole city of Nineveh was wiped out with fire from heaven. His thoughts, “Good riddance! They deserve God’s punishment.”
If you are new to reading the Bible and you’re not familiar with the four chapter story of Jonah in the Bible, or if this is a review for you, you’re in for treat. God is not like us. He wants ALL people to repent and become more. God really is for everybody. Even the worst of the worst. If you’ve ever wondered why Jesus had to die on a Cross, it was because God loves people... ALL of them. If you are feeling a little unworthy of God’s love in any way, this hIstory lesson may renew your faith in God’s mercy for everyone, even US.
Grab a seat and bring a friend to be YOUR guest at Journey Church this weekend. Tell them we’ve got a fish story they are not going to believe. Summertime is the best time to talk about fish. You should hear about the one that got away. Wait to hear how God’s mercy and love reeled in some bad people in the Bible. Amazing Grace is real.
Let’s roll. Help us grow. Be here and bring a seat buddy. God says GO. Don’t say NO. Trust me, it’s a bad idea. Just ask Jonah. Let’s GO!