Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
9/14/2021
Sunday Prophesy. The Cost of Unity. The Price of Forgiveness.
"United nationally? or in your church and family will only come as you humble yourselves before me. No words of sentiment, no carefully crafted paragraphs of humility, courage, and unity will bring you to my peace and righteousness. It is not by might, power but only by my spirit… Only by my Spirit. Only I can break the chains.
Your part is to walk uprightly and with peace and patience speaking and dealing with one another. One voice can make a difference when you walk in my truth. I unite and divide nations. I am sovereign but you my children are called – chosen – to be a priesthood for me.
You are called to be a righteous judge as in the days of old. I am calling each of you to lead while speaking my peace and truth. When will you turn back to me fully? When will you put me before your own interest? I am still knocking, still calling you to surrender your all so I can bring a spirit of oneness and unity.”
When the Holy Spirit gave this to me on Sunday morning, I had no idea Pastor would be talking on the subject of True North. I had no idea that our men’s group Courageous was studying the third chapter of Jonah and giving him a second chance after he repented in the belly of a whale.
Think of it. God prepared a fish big enough to swallow Jonah and then keep him alive inside. Jonah must have been petrified. It was dark, wet, and smelly inside the fish’s stomach. And Jonah had seaweeds wrapped around his head (Jonah 2:5).
He prayed and told God he was sorry and that he wanted to obey Him. God had mercy on him. After three days and three nights, He made the fish spit Jonah out of its stomach onto dry land. Now whether Jonah repented immediately to God or waited for 3 days to get it… I don’t know. My guess is he hit his knees immediately. But God didn’t deliver him for three days. Jesus was in the belly of the earth 3 days before he was raised triumphantly. I am not sure of all the correlations, but I know God doesn’t always move just because we fast for a day or repent for a day. God is looking for a heart change. A heartfelt change. A change to the way you live and breathe and have your being type of change. But He always seems willing to give us a 2nd chance. To prepare a situation that would cause us to choose our path again in light of his sovereignty. When did that happen to you last? When was the last time you gave it all over to God and left it with him? Or how about 50% of it… or how about 30%? 20%… 10%? Are you getting this?
How far will we push God’s patience, doing life on your terms?
Jonah was sent again to Nineveh, to preaches his message. (1-4) Nineveh is spared upon the repentance of the inhabitants that included the King. (5-10)
God employs Jonah again in his service. His making use of us is evidence of his being at peace with us. His decision to work in us so he can work through us. Are you ready or are you running like Jonah did that fateful night before the Whale?
Lord, forgive me…truly. I do not want to go down the path of rebellion any longer. I know you have been calling me to make this change. Help me. Empower me by your spirit to surrender it all before you.
My God is Mighty to Save
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI_M9DP5BGw
