A Second Chance

           Do you need a second chance? As a school teacher, I know the importance of giving second chances. Students who struggle with particular concepts may need the opportunity to remediate a test. Others who break the rules need a second chance to modify their behavior. People often make mistakes and later realize the error of their ways. God knew this to be true, which is why He has given all of us a second chance.

           If anyone ever needed a second chance, it was Jonah. God had called him to minister to the Ninevites. Instead of obeying the word of the Lord, he had the brilliant idea to run away from God. He headed to the port of Tarshish instead of Nineveh (Jonah 1:3). Someone should have told him his sojourn away from God would not be successful. Once the call of God is placed on your life, God will not give up on you.

           God sent a horrific storm upon the vessel, “such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up” (Jonah 1:4). The crew members began to call out to their own gods. They were fearful for their lives. But the one true God was trying to get the attention of a certain individual named Jonah.

           Jonah told the crew he was running away from God, even before they cast lots to determine who was responsible for this life-threatening situation. The lot fell on Jonah, so they asked him what they could do to stop the fierce storm. “’Pick me up and throw me into the sea,’ he replied, ‘and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you’” (Jonah 1:12).

           Not wanting God to be angry with them for throwing a man overboard, they tried unsuccessfully to get back to shore. Yet they could not make any progress, “for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the Lord, ‘Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.’ Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm” (Jonah 13-15).

           What was Jonah thinking as he was cast over the side of the ship? Did he truly believe that this would be the end? Had he given up on any possibility of the Lord saving him, considering his rebellious behavior? Could he even muster up the courage to call on the name above all names to rescue him from these dire circumstances?

           Even though Jonah may have given up, or even felt relieved to be freed of his commission to go to Nineveh, God had other plans. According to Jonah 1:17, “the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” God provided a second chance for Jonah, albeit a nonconventional haven from the treacherous sea.

           What does a person do in the belly of an enormous fish? Well, you certainly could not phone a friend or watch the local news! And could you imagine what the aroma must have been like in this environment? So Jonah did the one thing he knew was best. He prayed. Earnestly, he cried out to God in his distress. Jonah prayed, “‘What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.’” And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” (Jonah 2:9-10).

           The very moment Jonah decided to obey the Lord’s command, he was freed from this unlikely prison. He was rescued from this plight in which he found himself all because he had a change of heart. He was given a second chance.

           Additionally, Nineveh was given a second chance. God intended to destroy the city of Nineveh, due to their wickedness. “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened” (Jonah 3:10). God spared the city because Jonah preached to the Ninevites. One second chance affected another second chance.

            What about you? Have you made a wrong turn in life? Does it seem as if you are imprisoned by your poor decisions? If you need a second chance like Jonah, call on the Lord right now. God’s Word says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus gave His life for you, so you could receive the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so whoever believes in Him could have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

           God loves you more than you could ever imagine. Just as Jonah could not stray away from God, neither can you wander out of the reach of the love of Jesus Christ (see Romans 8:37-39). Stop running away from God and start running toward the only One who can save you. He will give you a fresh start, if you put your trust in Him. No matter what you have done, where you have been, or who you are, God will provide a way out.

           While your rescue may not require a colossal sea creature, you can rely on the fact that God will provide exactly what you need, “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). God will provide a Refuge from the storm. He will save you, if you will only believe. Call on the name of Jesus Christ. Receive a second chance, a rebirth in Christ Jesus!

A Life for Love

Would you drive 1,000 miles to have dinner with a complete stranger? Could you spare 72 hours of your time to help someone in need? Would you risk your life in an attempt to rescue an individual who sought to murder you? While these complex scenarios may sound somewhat outrageous, they truly pale in comparison to the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to show his love toward us. Jesus gave his life for every single person on this planet. Why did he go to such lengths? He gave his life for love.

When I think about love, I am reminded of the unconditional love my Dad has for me. He would do anything to ensure my safety and contentment. Additionally, I think of the times I have spent with family and friends, enjoying fellowship together. I even recall the special unexpected gifts I have been given from friends all around the world. Small tokens of their love for me, yet they are items I will treasure always. Every day, we constantly strive to show our love toward one another, with the ultimate hope that we will be loved in return. Yet with all of our loving gestures bestowed upon family and friends, we cannot even begin to scratch the surface of the love of Jesus Christ.

The love Jesus has for us is an agape love that cannot be matched on this earth. Jesus did not take the easy way out. He did not simply write a greeting card or send an e-mail to let us know he cared about us. Nor did he give us an elegant gift to symbolize his love for us. He did something no other individual in the universe could do. He died to save us from our sins. Why did Jesus go to such lengths? I John 3:16 states, “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us.” Jesus died for us because he loved us unconditionally.

Read the news and you will find numerous stories of strangers risking their lives to save someone’s life. From rescuing someone who has fallen onto the subway tracks to donating life-saving vital organs, there are countless good Samaritans who will risk their lives for people they do not even know. Firefighters, police officers, and other emergency personnel put their lives in danger every day, helping to ensure the safety of our communities. Likewise, some people spend a lifetime working to help save the lives of strangers. Dr. Norman Borlaug developed a high-yield, disease resistant wheat, thereby saving the lives of millions of people through the prevention of famine in many developing countries. Edward Jenner, a doctor from rural England, pioneered a smallpox vaccine, helping to eradicate an infectious disease which had claimed hundreds of millions of lives.

While some people risk their lives to save a stranger, and others may devote time to make life-saving discoveries, God went one step further. He sent his only Son to die an agonizing death to show his love for all mankind. Jesus Christ died for all. He didn’t solely die for the people who loved him in return. He also died for the people who despised and rejected him. Romans 5:7-8 says, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus died for the soldiers who murdered him. Even on the cross, he asked God to forgive them (Luke 23:34). That is agape love.

You may be wondering why someone would do that for you. You may think, but I am so unworthy. No King would ever love me that much. The answer is quite simple. God, the One who created us, knew that we could not redeem ourselves. He knew we were all sinners who desperately needed a Savior. That’s why he sent his only begotten Son. He wanted to save the same world that turned its back on him. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God has given us the gift of eternal life through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. Jesus rose again on the third day and he is sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34).

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, make today your day of salvation. Romans 10:13 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Don’t let another day or even an hour slip away before you invite Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life. Life is very fragile. Just this week, I have heard of several young men and women who have lost their lives in tragic car accidents or to devastating illnesses. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. Jesus is the only lasting Hope in this world. Call on his name today.

Jesus Christ loves you so very much. No matter what you have done or where you have been, you are never out of the reach of the loving arms of Jesus. Romans 8:38-39 says, “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate you from Jesus Christ and his love. He loves you more than you could ever fully comprehend. He loves you at your best and even at your worst. His love for you extends beyond the highest mountain and the deepest valley. That’s the reason he gave his life. Jesus gave his life for love.

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer

What's Rocking Your Boat?

Prayer Works

This week, Oklahomans faced one of the most horrific storms they have ever encountered. The EF5 tornado ravaged the town of Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding communities. Lives were lost and countless individuals were injured. As I watched the video footage on the news, I was saddened as I heard the stories told by those left behind. Little children witnessed scenes they should never have had to come in contact with. Men, women, boys, and girls are now searching for one book, one photo, or one memento to remind them of the life they once knew.

On the flipside, I have seen the heart of America band together. I have seen the flag raised. I have seen families pray together. And I know that through it all, Oklahoma will rebuild and their resiliency will shine through. The teachers who have become hometown heroes will keep praying. The citizens who keep digging through rubble to find just one more photograph will keep searching for the pieces of the puzzle that will enable them to put their lives back together. The rescue workers and clean-up crews will continue removing debris, serving up meals, and distributing clothing, food, and water to those in need.

While you and I may not be able to be there on the ground to assist with clean-up efforts, there is something that we can do. We can pray. Earlier today, I read a news article concerning the use of the hashtag #PrayforOklahoma. Sadly, the article implied that some people feel that God does not answer prayers uttered via Social Media sites, even going so far as to say that the people who post these hashtags simply do it to look like they have compassion on the ravaged areas. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 75,000 people have used this hashtag in one of their tweets on Twitter. From President Obama to pop music icons, many people are showing their support for the citizens of Oklahoma through their prayers.

While I certainly cannot answer for all 75,000 of these individuals, I believe that God sees each and every Tweet. More than that, I know that He sees inside the hearts of man. The Lord told Samuel, “‘The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (I Samuel 16:7 NIV). You see, God doesn’t care if we have long hair or short hair or if we wear the latest brand name clothes or the newest arrivals in the Goodwill. He sees beyond what we see when we look at a person or when we read someone’s tweet as it comes scrolling across the screen. He knows their heart. He knows if they have compassion for their fellow human being. He knows if they mean the prayers they post. He even knows if they truly pray for those involved in this natural disaster.

Many people through the years have had differing opinions on prayer and whether or not it is a worthwhile action. When I was born, I was born premature and lifeless. The doctors gave up on me. But my parents continued to pray. They didn’t read a formal prayer from a book. They didn’t recite some eloquent speech. They prayed two simple words: “Jesus help.” The doctors did not have an answer. All of their scientific studies could not explain why I began to cough like a little kitten and why I am sitting here today writing this blog. They certainly did not expect that I would make something of myself, saying that I would be nothing more than a vegetable if I did survive. Now that I have earned a Master of Science degree with a 4.0 GPA, I beg to differ. I do not say this to brag, but to show evidence to the fact that Matthew 21:22 (NIV) is absolutely true. It says, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." My parents believed, they asked, and they received. Bottom line: prayer works.

Through every trial, I am grateful that we can pray to the God who created us. He hears every single prayer, even the ones that are unspoken, never uttered, but remaining in our hearts. He loves each and every one of us so much that He gave His only Son. Jesus Christ died for us so that we could have eternal life. That is the only example of perfect love that this world has ever seen. He is watching over the precious people of Oklahoma as they begin to pick up the pieces of their lives. He is comforting the hearts of those who lost loved ones. He is bringing peace to an otherwise devastating scene.

No matter what you may be going through, whether it is a mental, physical, or emotional battle, Jesus Christ will help you persevere. Jesus Christ wants to be your strength when you are weak. All you have to do is ask Him. If you do not know Jesus, I want you to know that He loves you more than you could ever imagine. I want to challenge you to read John chapter 3. It will only take 3 minutes. These 3 minutes could change your life forever. It’s not about religion. It’s not about Christianity. It’s about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer