The Fire Withinنمونہ

AT OUR LOWEST POINT READ God called Jonah to preach to the Ninevites so that they would repent, return to God, and be saved from destruction. Jonah responded by rejecting God’s call and running in the complete opposite direction. His disobedience led him to a storm and eventually had him swallowed by a fish. But while he was there suffering the consequence of his disobedience, he knew he could call out to God. And when he did, God heard him, removed him from the fish and restored him. Later on, God would even call him again into his ministry. Very often when we disobey God, we know our guilt and the consequences of our actions and we feel too ashamed to go to Him. We tend not to pray and read our Bibles. We avoid church and the company of other Christians. But Jonah’s example shows us that God hears us when we pray, even when it is at our lowest point. He listens not because we are perfect, but because we have faith when we pray—faith that believes God will restore whatever sin has tried to destroy. Reading our Bibles, praying, and enjoying Christian fellowship—we do all of these things when we are motivated by that faith in God. REFLECT 1. What difficult circumstances are you facing now? It could be the result of your own disobedience or just the circumstances of life. Do you believe God is near to you when you pray even in these situations? 2. Do you believe that Jesus can and will hear you when you cry out to Him? Are there sins that you feel still separate you from Him? RESPOND 1. Take time to pray and ask God to be with you in whatever challenging situation you are in right now. Pray in faith knowing that He hears those who pray to Him. 2. If you are going through a difficult situation now, remember how Jesus intervened on your behalf. If not, take time today to encourage someone who is in a hard situation.