God Loves People

Truth:  God loves You. He loves me. He loves people.  Though He enjoys the work of His hands, He designed you with a special ability to both receive and respond to the goodness of His love.  Jonah found the truth and power of God’s love as He watched the Creator have compassion on the city of Nineveh.

Scripture:  “But the Lord said, ‘You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.  But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well.  Should I not be concerned about that great city?’” Jonah 4:10-11

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so grateful today that Your love is greater.  It is greater than all my own needs, my problems, issues and difficulties.  Help me today to live a life that shares Your abundant love with others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Loves You

Truth: God is with you today.  He knows the choices you will make, the consequences you will reap and the difficulties you may face.  Rather than leave Jonah to his own failures, God intervened and entered his circumstance to help him grow stronger and wise.  Only God’s love is powerful enough to transform us from our lowly state to a better place that reflects His glory.

Scripture:  “But the Lord said, ‘You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.  But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left and many cattle as well.  Should I not be concerned about that great city?’” Jonah 4:10-11

Prayer:  Thank You Lord for Your great and matchless love.  Many times I place my focus in the wrong place and prioritize the unimportant.  Help me to see my world like You see it and to have Your compassion and love for those around me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Best Christmas Ever – Advent Part 1 – Eric Watt

The Best Christmas Ever – Advent Part 1 – Eric Watt

God Made and Controls the Heavens and the Earth

Truth:  God made the universe. It was not accidently brought into existence by chance.  He made it with a purpose and desires that all He created reflect the beauty and majesty of the Creator. Jonah grew angry with God when the shade withdrew and the sun scorched on his head.  He could have honored God in the midst of the difficulty, but chose instead to ask to die.

Scripture: “But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint he wanted to die, and said, ‘It would be better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:8-9

Prayer: Father God, I know that You are in charge of the heavens and the earth; and that my days go best when I surrender my will to Yours.  Help me today to trust You and to rest in Your providence.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Women’s Ministry Holiday Breakfast

In the midst of a busy season, join us to relax, share in meaningful fellowship with other women, and enjoy a remarkable breakfast feast prepared and served by our Greenbrier men.  All you need to do is rsvp and attend. Don’t miss this special event!

• Saturday, December 4
• 9-11am
• Greenbrier Fellowship Hall
• Cost is FREE!

RSVP to: women@greenbrierchurch.com

“Arise, Shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

God Demands Worship in Every Circumstance

Truth:  God is the Creator and Sustainer of all life.  He created all life and every good and perfect gift comes from His generous and good hand.  His purpose for humankind is to reflect this glory and to give thanks for the beauty and love lavished upon them.  When the shade of the vine disappeared Jonah responded in anger and demanded his own way.  He had difficulty learning to worship God as he believed that he deserved credit, blessing and favor rather than offering praise to His maker.

Scripture: “But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint he wanted to die, and said, ‘It would be better for me to die than to live’.” Jonah 4:8-9

Prayer:  Eternal God, I know that You are the Creator and Sustainer of I life, and I choose to honor You with my life.  I yield my rights to you and my desire to control all my circumstances.  Help me instead to find You in every moment of my day and to trust and honor Your leadership in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Expects His Followers to Grow Up

Truth: God pours out His love and mercy so that you will experience Him, but also so that You will grow up in your faith honoring and praising Him more than the gifts that He gives.  Jonah enjoyed the shade, but rather than worship God for the blessings he had been given, Jonah believed he deserved God’s gifts.  When shade of the vine withered, Jonah seethed in anger and wanted to die.

Scripture: “But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint he wanted to die, and said, ‘It would be better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:8-9

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Today I ask that You would help me to walk in humility. Whether my life is filled with the comfort of shade or the scorching heat of a desert, my greatest desire is to be with You and to live my life for You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is Merciful

Truth: God has enough mercy for you today. Even when you and I speak hurtful and negative things to one another, or even worse to God, He always responds with a heart of mercy and kindness.  For Jonah this meant that after He was angry with God, mercy overflowed and provided shade from the hot desert sun.

Scripture: “Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.” Jonah 4:6

Prayer:  Merciful God, Today I thank You for seeing my needs and satisfying them with your mercy. I am grateful for Your never ending mercy and love, and I ask for the strength to honor You with all that I do.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is God, You Are Not

Truth:  Every day life is filled with the surprise of unplanned events and conversations. Some days are better than others, but each moment presents an opportunity for you and I to honor our Creator, trust His judgment and rest confidently in His plan.  This was a major issue for Jonah in that he allowed himself to become angry over God’s decision to have mercy on the city of Nineveh.

Scripture: “But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” Jonah 4:4

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You alone are God and You can see everything.  Help me not be like Jonah and complain in anger when things don’t turn out my way.  Instead, teach me to trust in Your goodness and to seek You and Your ways.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Abounds in Love

Truth: God is Love.  It is His nature to love You, to love others and to never stop loving the best of people and the worst of society.  His love is impartial and overflowing to all.  Jonah expected God to forgive the Ninevites because He knew God’s character was consistent.

Scripture: “He prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.  I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate god, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, Today I receive Your love.  I know that You desire me to walk according to Your word and to align my heart with Yours, so I ask for Your wisdom and guidance to live obedient. In this way I know that Your love will transform me into a person that is wholly pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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