User's Manual: Crystal Ball #1

Jonah - Application

I feel like the timeless truth that I can extract from the book of Jonah is that whales are a [not so fancy] means of transportation! No no, what I really can get from this book is the fact that God loves all people and that no matter how wicked people are, if they repent, God will forgive them! The people of Nineveh were some of the worst people on earth at that time! Yet, from the King to the last animal in the kingdom, all of them repented, then God decided not to destroy them! (Jonah 3:10) Second chances are for everyone! However, I can see that Jonah does not like that characteristic of God: So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” (Jonah 4:2-3) And It makes me wonder, if Jonah was an evil man and the answer is no, because he is just a human being… because we even think this way sometimes. I have had times when I feel like murderers, rapists and really bad people deserve to die instantly! But, if God has mercy for them too, there’s no other thing to do than to sit down, calm down and pray for understanding of God’s heart for each situation. Maybe one day, I’ll understand God’s heart better and Jonah’s a bit less…

Point of Passion:

God provides what we need when we need it. And God knew that Jonah was steamed up (angry) so He “arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.” (Jonah 4:6) So, finally, Jonah is a happy camper! But it did not last long: “But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.” And so God used this analogy to explain to Jonah how sad it would make Him to kill all this people after they repented and were good!

This makes me feel like I need to see past the present and have faith in the fact that God knows what’s better for me, my family and everyone around me.

Isaiah - Application

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

    I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

    I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

    you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

    you will not be burned up;

    the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Timeless truth, enough said…

Point of Passion:

I always enjoy when the preachers talk about food… it makes me feel like my day will be so much better after that! But I feel it is even better when God talks about food! Because, after all, He created all the flavors of the world! He knows very well, right?

“Is anyone thirsty?

    Come and drink—

    even if you have no money!

Come, take your choice of wine or milk—

    it’s all free!

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?

    Why pay for food that does you no good?

Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.

    You will enjoy the finest food.

Come to me with your ears wide open.

    Listen, and you will find life.” (Isaiah 55:1-3)

Not only does God promised food and drinks, but He also says those are free! And behind the lines there’s a greater invitation: listen to Him and He assures that you will find life! I have been helping with a couple of  homeless feedings here in Kona, and I did it in Costa Rica as well, and the one thing that never changes is that the poor and the homeless usually come for the food and not for a Christian message. And I see that God has a heart for this very same thing… food first and message later! I feel this is a confirmation of the idea of feeding the homeless just to show them you care for them and not for a badge of how many homeless can I “lead to the Lord”. I need to keep in mind that God is more interested in the person than in the fact that they are (or not) Christians. So should I do.

Amos  - Application

My timeless truth from Amos is that God is a just God and He judges ALL PEOPLES, even His own people! I really enjoyed reading how Amos set Israel up to be all excited about their enemies being judged by God, and then he brought the bad news to them too! (Amos 1:3 - 2:16) So, I feel this goes both ways, God will judge all, and He will forgive all as well (if they repent). And the same applies to everyone, not only to His special people! That’s good and bad news at the same time. But I’ll stick to the good side of things: we all have the chance to be forgiven, once we repent of our wrong behavior.

Point of Passion:

Guess what I found in Amos? Yes, food! Well, kind of… the next reference reminds me of my times in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I ate steak every single day, at least twice a day… those were good days! In Amos 4, God talks to the people who oppress the poor:

“Listen to me, you fat cows

    living in Samaria,

you women who oppress the poor

    and crush the needy…”

And He tells them what’s going to happen to them for not doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord:

“The time will come when you will be led away

    with hooks in your noses.

Every last one of you will be dragged away

    like a fish on a hook!”

I feel this words apply to our days so much as they did in those days! And I believe that when we help the needy and the poor, we are blessed instead of cursed! So I hope that every time I have the chance to go out and help them it will be a great blessing for them, because it certainly is a blessing for me!