DAY 32
DATE: 2/1/2013
Good Morning! My name is Sarah Herrold and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Jonah 1-3.
KEY VERSE:
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
REFLECTIONS:
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the people of their wickedness and how they had sinned against God, but Jonah told God no and did his own thing. After Jonah was swallowed by the big fish he decided to repent and do it God’s way. God still used Jonah in spite of his rebellious attitude, and the people of Nineveh turned back to God.
APPLICATION:
Has God ever told you to do or not to do something, and you have chosen to do it anyway? I know for me He has. The moment we become a child of God the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us – leading us, guiding us and prompting us.
My normal day consists of being a wife and mother. This can be so rewarding, and at other times can be really hard…really hard to do the right thing, especially in the stressful moments. I have the moments of when I just mopped the kitchen floor only for my kiddo to accidentally spill the orange juice all over. At the moment I have the Holy Spirit prompting me and telling me, “Sarah, choose My way. Don’t overreact… don’t lose your cool.” There are times when I choose to listen to His still small voice and do what He says; but, sad to say, there are times when I say, “No…I am doing it my way,” and I lose my cool. At this moment I have broken my relationship with God. I have chosen to do it my way, and along with it hurt a little one’s feelings who was just being a kid and didn’t want to dirty Mommy’s clean floor.
I know God hasn’t told me to go to a country and tell others to repent of their sins like Jonah, but He does tell me every day in little circumstances what to do and what not to do. All of those choices matter. God wants all of us. He wants us to listen to Him and follow Him, which will always lead to joy and peace; but when we go our own way it only leads to putting a wedge between me, God and others. Thank goodness we have a God who forgives us when we say no to Him. Let’s say yes to God. Even in the little things. Let’s choose His way and not our own way.
Thank you for being a part of the Route 66 Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Sarah
WHEN YOU GOT SAVED: 5 years old
FAVORITE BIBLE BOOK: James
FAMILY: Paul, Chloe(11), Caleb(8), Carter(6)
OCCUPATION: Wife and mom
MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT AT VBC: Children’s church, meals for moms with new babies